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A cat relaxes in Guangzhou Baiyun Airport's new terminal for animal travelers.
SINGAPORE—Guangzhou Baiyun Airport has created a dedicated pet terminal, the first in China.
The terminal, which aims to cater to the growing demographic of Chinese pet owners and a burgeoning pet industry in the country, is currently in a trial period and is set to become operational from May.
Spanning 2,000 m2 (21,530 ft.2), the facility features both indoor and outdoor areas. It offers booking services and dedicated check-in lanes, as well as quarantine and transport services.
Passengers are able to book the terminal's services via a mobile phone app. Pets are charged between CNY1,300-CNY2,000 ($178-$275) for airfare and an agency fee of around CNY300-CNY500 at the terminal. A pet hotel, which can host up to 30 animals, is also linked to the facility.
In January, China Southern Airlines—Guangzhou Airport’s anchor carrier—introduced the option for passengers to book a seat for their pets in the aircraft cabin, China's first commercial operator to do so.
According to the Asia Pet Research Institute, China has around 187 million registered pet cats and dogs, in an industry worth around CNY300 billion domestically.
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