MACAU. Macau International Airport handled some 2.4 million passengers from January to August this year, marking a +32% growth in numbers from the same time last year.
Airlines pointed out that passenger numbers for the fourth quarter are rising steadily, following the easing of travel restrictions from mainland China to Macau. The Chinese can now travel to Macau on independent visas and no longer need to join a group tour to enter the district.
Routes from mainland China now make up some 35% of all arrivals at Macau.
The Taiwanese, who traditionally accounted for about 70% of all passengers at the airport, now form only about 60% of the total. Some 1.4 million Taiwanese arrived at the airport from January to August this year.
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