โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
30
minutes
Domestic โ International
60
minutes
International โ Domestic
60
minutes
International โ International
45
minutes
Interline Connections
60
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Hefei Xinqiao International Airport (HFE) is the primary aviation gateway for Hefei, the capital of Anhui Province, China. Opened in May 2013 to replace the aging Luogang Airport, this modern facility is located approximately 32 kilometers from the city center. The terminal's architecture is famously inspired by the shape of a tropical fish, featuring a sleek, flowing design that integrates eco-friendly technology with functional efficiency. As a major regional hub, it handles over 11 million passengers annually and serves as a key base for China Eastern Airlines, connecting Anhui to major domestic cities and international destinations across Asia.
The terminal building is organized across three main levels to streamline the passenger experience. The first floor is dedicated to arrivals and baggage claim, while the second floor serves as the main departures area for both domestic and international flights, housing check-in counters and security screening. A unique interlayer floor is designed specifically for transferring passengers, allowing for seamless domestic-to-domestic connections without the need to exit the secure area or re-claim luggage. The layout is expansive yet intuitive, with clear signage in both Chinese and English guiding travelers through the various zones.
Travelers at HFE can enjoy a comprehensive range of modern facilities and services. The terminal is equipped with multiple VIP and CIP lounges, including a dedicated China Eastern Airlines lounge and several first-class waiting halls located on the second and third floors. Dining options are plentiful, ranging from quick-service fast food to full-service restaurants offering traditional Anhui cuisine and international dishes. For shopping, the airport features a variety of retail stores and a well-stocked duty-free area in the international section. Essential services such as currency exchange at the Bank of China, medical rooms, and free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal ensure a comfortable and convenient stay for all visitors.
๐ Connection Tips
Navigating connections at Hefei Xinqiao International Airport is straightforward due to its single-terminal design and specialized transfer facilities. Domestic-to-domestic passengers can utilize the dedicated transfer interlayer, moving directly from arrival to departure gates without exiting the secure area. This process typically takes under 30 minutes if you are on a single ticket with through-checked baggage. If traveling on separate tickets, you must collect your luggage on the first floor and return to the second floor for re-check-in; allow at least 2 hours for this "self-transfer" to account for potential queues. International connections require more time and involve additional formalities.
Passengers arriving internationally and connecting to domestic flights must clear immigration and customs on the first floor. After collecting your bags, you must proceed to the second-floor departure hall for domestic check-in. It is recommended to allow a minimum of 3 hours for an international-to-domestic transfer. Conversely, domestic-to-international transfers require clearing exit immigration and security, so ensuring a 2.5 to 3-hour buffer is essential, particularly during major Chinese holidays when passenger volume peaks significantly. Ground transportation is efficient, with Airport Shuttle Buses linking the terminal to Hefei city center in 45 to 60 minutes.
Taxis are available 24/7 outside the arrivals hall. For long layovers of 6 hours or more, a trip to the city center to visit the Anhui Museum or local parks is possible. However, always aim to return to the airport at least 2 hours before your next flight. The terminal offers free Wi-Fi and numerous charging stations, making it easy to stay productive if you choose to remain at the airport during your connection.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
60
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Aral Talim Airport (ACF), with ICAO code ZWAL, is a modern public airport located in Tanan, about 12 kilometers south of Aral in Xinjiang, China. It opened on June 16, 2022, making it a relatively new regional facility designed to improve connectivity for the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The airport operates from a single compact terminal building of about 4,509 square meters and includes six gates for passenger operations.
The terminal layout is simple, with check-in, security, and departure areas all located within one structure. This keeps walking distances short and makes navigation straightforward. Most passengers can move from the entrance to their gate in just a few minutes, which is helpful given the airport's regional role.
Security procedures at ACF follow Chinese aviation standards, including screening of carry-on bags, checked baggage, and passengers. Because the airport handles mainly domestic traffic and moderate volumes, waits are usually manageable. International immigration and customs facilities are not available on site, so those formalities must be completed at larger gateway airports in China when traveling internationally.
๐ Connection Tips
Connecting through Aral Talim Airport involves navigating China's newest desert aviation facility opened June 16, 2022, as the first airport built on collapsible loess geology serving the Tarim River Basin from its strategic position 12 kilometers south of Aral in the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps region. The Category 4C airport's 2,800-meter runway accommodates Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A320 aircraft supporting 16 planned domestic routes designed to handle 300,000 passengers, 1,100 tons of cargo, and 3,200 flights annually while integrating this remote region into the Silk Road Economic Belt initiative.
Domestic connections focus on major Chinese aviation hubs with China Southern Airlines operating Shanghai routes (flight CZ5566) while regional carriers including Tianjin Airlines, Urumqi Air, and China Express Airlines provide connectivity throughout Xinjiang and western China. The primary gateway for onward connections remains รrรผmqi Diwopu International Airport located 850 kilometers north, offering comprehensive domestic coverage and international services to Central Asia, while eastern connections through Shanghai, Beijing, and Xi'an enable access to China's extensive high-speed rail network and international gateway airports.
Ground transportation from the compact 4,509-square-meter terminal includes taxi services covering the 12-kilometer journey to Aral city center in 15 minutes for ยฅ20-30 ($3-4 USD), while the airport's location in the Tarim Basin desert requires consideration of frequent dust storms from April through September affecting visibility and flight operations. The facility's modern infrastructure includes six gates and parking positions supporting regional economic development for agricultural exports from this cotton-producing region, while serving the strategic military and economic interests of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. Weather considerations in this extreme continental desert climate include temperature variations from -20ยฐC in winter to 40ยฐC in summer, requiring flexible scheduling for connections through this remote outpost supporting China's Belt and Road Initiative connectivity goals in Central Asia's borderlands.
โ Back to Hefei Xinqiao International Airport