Hangzhou International Airport in China, a major hub for the Yangtze River Delta region, is preparing to become one of the world’s first fully cashless airports.
According to a report in The Global Times, the airport intends to collaborate with mobile payment providers such as AllPay to enable travelers to complete all on-site transactions without cash. This initiative aims to allow passengers to pay for food, drinks, retail purchases and other services using mobile payment methods.
Beyond payments, the airport is building a comprehensive digital platform that will let travelers handle a range of travel-related needs in one place. The planned system will allow users to book hotels, purchase event or attraction tickets, arrange transportation, reserve parking and shop through a unified online interface, simplifying the travel experience and reducing the need to manage multiple apps or services.
Hangzhou International Airport is also investing in upgraded artificial intelligence features across the terminal. Enhanced image recognition technology will be integrated into interfaces such as security checkpoints and other automated systems to speed processing, improve accuracy and reduce wait times for passengers.
Handling more than 30 million passengers annually, Hangzhou International Airport ranks among China’s busiest airports. It is currently the country’s tenth-busiest airport and is listed among the top 100 busiest airports globally. The cashless and AI-driven upgrades reflect the airport’s broader effort to modernize operations and enhance passenger convenience while maintaining safety and efficiency.