Flight NX126 arrives in Hangzhou on Dec 19. [Photo by Yu Yiting/tidenews.com.cn]

Hangzhou International Airport welcomed its third Macao route as flight NX126, carrying 151 passengers, touched down at 10 pm on Dec 19.

With this addition, flights between Hangzhou and Macao now total 24 per week, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to China.

Uniquely, the new route offers seamless transit to Rome, Italy. Passengers connecting via NX126 can complete check-in for their onward journey in Macao, pass through a dedicated transit hall in Hangzhou for customs and security, and proceed directly to boarding their flight to their final destination.

This "Macao–Hangzhou–Rome" route is Hangzhou airport's 19th international transit service and its first interline transfer route.

Since launching its international transit hall earlier this year, the Hangzhou airport has facilitated efficient connections on 19 routes operated by five airlines, including Air China and Macao Airlines. Over 4,000 passengers have used the service for cross-border and intercontinental travel. 

To enhance efficiency, Hangzhou Customs employs smart systems for streamlined inspections, integrating health and security checks into a single automated process. New policies, such as increased duty-free limits for Hong Kong and Macao residents, further improve the travel experience.

As of November, Hangzhou airport had welcomed over 306,000 Macao-bound passengers, a 7.88-percent year-on-year increase.

Passengers wait for customs clearance at the airport. [Photo by Yu Yiting/tidenews.com.cn]