Xiamen extends e-channels to cut border queues

Xiamen airport has added extra electronic passport control booths to help cut waiting times during the summer travel rush.

Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport put the new booths into operation on Aug 1, in time for the peak summer vacation tourist period and the upcoming BRICS Summit, which will be held in the coastal city in East China's Fujian province in September.

There will now be six e-channels rather than three in the airport's border control area, which has been expanded from 480 square meters to 660 sq m to accommodate the extra machines.

The e-channels enable passengers to cross the border in just 10 seconds, which greatly enhances the airport's capacity and efficiency. People holding a biometric passport or e-passport can use the automated booths.

A woman surnamed Li, who flew to Xiamen from the Netherlands, said it took her even less than 10 seconds to cross the border.

A police officer at the Gaoqi border inspection office said the self-service system has greatly cut processing times and made the airport's border control process more efficient.

Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport has increased its number of electronic passport control booths from three to six to cope with the peak summer travel season and the forthcoming BRICS Summit, which will be held in the city in East China's Fujian province in September. [Photo/Xiamen Daily Sina Weibo account]