Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY)

The Xi’an Xianyang International Airport is the main airport that serves Xi’an, the capital of China’s Shaanxi Province. The airport covers an entire area of 5 square kilometers; despite its name, the airport is actually within the administrative territory of Xianyang City, which is just a neighboring city of Xi’an.

The Xi’an International Airport is noted as the largest airport in northwest China and also the busiest, logging in up to 18 million passengers in 2010. It is also the airport with the most international connections in the northwestern part of China.

Additionally, the airport is known for its unique, more open, and more welcoming environment that other airports don’t usually offer; thus, it offers passengers passing through it a pleasant travel experience. The airport is currently being expanded; construction of a new terminal building as well as a second runway is currently underway.

• Chinese name: 西安咸阳国际机场
• Airport code: XIY
• Address: Xi'an Xianyang Guoji Jichang
• Xianyang International Airport Inquiry: 029-8879 8450
• Website: www.xxia.com

The Xi’an International Airport lies at a distance of 47 kilometers or 29 miles to the northwest of Xi’an’s city center, while it is 13 kilometers or 8.1 miles north of Xianyang city.

Flights and Terminals

The Xi’an Airport is currently the hub for Joy Air and a major focus city for Hainan Airlines. All airlines combined, the airport services 140 routes to more than 50 domestic and 18 international destinations. Most flights from Xi’an Airport fly to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Guilin, Jiuzhaigou, Hong Kong, Taipei, Nagoya, Tokyo, and Seoul.

International flights:

• Asiana Airlines
• Business Air
• China Airlines
• China Eastern Airlines
• China Southern Airlines
• Dragonair
• Hainan Airlines
• Hong Kong Airlines
• Korean Air
• Uni Air
• Orient Thai Airlines
• Vietnam Airline

Domestic flights:

• Air China
• Capital Airlines
• Chengdu Airlines
• China Express Air
• China West Air
• Hainan Airlines
• Hebei Airlines
• JoyAir
• Juneyao Airlines
• Kunming Airlines
• Lucky Air
• Okay Airways
• Shandong Airlines
• Shenzhen Airlines
• Sichuan Airlines
• Spring Airlines
• Tianjin Airlines
• Xiamen Airlines

The airport is pretty young; the first terminal building opened only in 2007 and was later on, in May 2012, closed due to the expansion project. Currently, most flights are served from the Terminal 2 building, while some domestic airlines such as China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, and China United Airlines fly some of their flights from Terminal 3, which was opened recently in May 2012.

Transportation to/from the City

Thanks to the Xianyang International Airport Expressway and the Xianyang International Airport Exclusive Expressway, passengers traveling to the airport from downtown Xian and vice versa can traverse the route in just one hour.

Shuttle Bus

The main form of transportation is the airport shuttle bus. Airport shuttle bus routes, schedules, and fares are as follows:

Taxi

The fastest way to travel to Xi’an International Airport is by taxi, although it is certainly not for budget travelers. The best taxi fares for a trip between the airport and the city center can already reach up to CNY 100 to CNY 120. However, if you are coming from the airport, some taxi drivers may increase the price and may refuse to use the meter. When coming from the airport, follow the airport directions leading to the taxi parking lots and choose the green taxis. Make sure to negotiate the fare before you get in the car.

Carpooling is also an option and is, in fact, the most economical and also the fastest. The fare for carpooling is only around CNY 60 to 70 for every person.

Xian Airport Intercity Buses

Those who are traveling to/from nearby cities outside of Xi’an can take the intercity buses that depart or stop at the Xi’an International Airport. Currently, many intercity bus lines make traveling convenient for commuters. Schedules, stops, ticket fares, and travel times are as follows:

Subway

Currently, no subway line can transfer passengers directly to the Terminal 3 building. A direct line, however, from Xian North Railway Station to the Terminal 3 is being planned.