HAIKOU, July 27. /TASS/. The authorities of the southern Chinese province of Hainan plan to increase the number of international passenger and cargo air routes to more than 100 by the end of the year, continuing the development of the international aviation hub of the free trade port, the Hainan Daily newspaper reported.

According to the authorities, in the first half of the year, 14 new international passenger and cargo routes were opened in Hainan, including the Haikou-Madrid passenger flight and the Haikou-Singapore cargo route. The total number of international air routes has reached 90, connecting the island with 50 cities in 28 countries worldwide.

The authorities note that in the second half of the year, they will focus on achieving the target of more than 100 international routes, continuing to expand the aviation network of the free trade port.

In the first half of the year, more than 27 million people passed through Hainan's airports. On international routes, 1.48 million passengers were served, which is 32.4% more than in the same period last year. In particular, China's first international passenger flight operated under the seventh freedom of the air model, between Sanya​, one of Hainan's most popular resort cities, and Prague, now operates not once but twice a week.

The authorities also reported that they continue to develop the international maritime transport hub. In the first half of the year, three new foreign trade container lines were opened, bringing the total number to 77. By the end of the year, the launch of two more routes is planned, mainly to Southeast Asian countries, as well as an increase in the number of vessels registered in the Yangpu port under the Chinese international ship registry to more than 100 units.

In addition, major transport projects continue to be implemented in Hainan. By the end of the year, it is planned to complete the construction of 19 road infrastructure facilities, including transport network integration projects and the Yinggeling Tunnel, as well as to continue the development of low-altitude aviation and multimodal logistics.