Despite initial glitches, Shenzhen’s new air terminal may be a delta game changer

A month after opening its new terminal and weathering some early turbulence, Shenzhen Baoan International Airport is ready to begin grabbing passengers from other Pearl River Delta aviation hubs.

Passengers still complain about the lack of taxis and moving walkways, and of airport staff who are unfamiliar with the terminal. During unseasonably heavy rains from December 15 to 17, leaks sprung up in several places in the new building. The rain and poor work environment caused dozens of cargo handlers to go on strike, leading to flight delays.

Nevertheless, it appears that many passengers in the delta see the futuristic terminal as a better choice than Hong Kong and Guangzhou to reach destinations around Southeast Asia if flights are available.

Designed by Italian architects Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas in the shape of a manta ray, the 8.6 billion yuan (HK$10.9 billion) terminal, with 200 check-in counters, 200 shops and 62 boarding gates, started operating on November 28.

Triple the size of its earlier terminals, the new facility has handled over 20,000 flights and 2.6 million passengers in its first month – a new monthly record for the airport. The rate of flights delay stood at about 18 per cent.

Watch: Shenzhen Bao'an International airport extension - Terminal 3