Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport opened its long-awaited Terminal 3 and a new runway on Thursday, marking a major expansion that cements its position among the world's busiest air hubs.

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The additions bring the airport's totals to three terminals and five runways, boosting its annual passenger capacity to 140 million and cargo capacity to 6 million metric tons.

Officials said the additions will help the airport meet surging travel demand across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, where annual passenger volume already exceeds 120 million.

Already ranking among the world's busiest for both passengers and cargo, Baiyun Airport's latest expansion reinforces Guangzhou's role as a global gateway and a key driver in southern China's modernization plans.

This third expansion project for the airport spent five years under construction, with a final cost of 53.77 billion yuan ($7.59 billion).

Designed as a tribute to Guangzhou's nickname "city of flowers", Terminal 3's architecture evokes a blooming blossom, weaving in imagery of the Pearl River and Baiyun Mountain. The result is a landmark meant to symbolize the city's urban gateway image.

Upon completion, the terminal immediately became a national leader for multiple innovations, boasting several national firsts. It features a panoramic aviation observation platform and lookout, a large-scale terminal decorated with warm color tones, a massive public art system, and flagship restrooms. In keeping with its nature theme, it is filled with flora. Its ancient tree park and botanical garden are firsts for an airport in China, and its airside original ecological garden is now the nation's largest.

Airport officials described Terminal 3 as blending "Chinese style, southern charm, international appeal, and contemporary sense", setting a new paradigm for China's airport terminals.