Travelers pass through the smart immigration clearance channel at Zhoushan Putuoshan International Airport. [Photo/Zhoushan Daily]

A smart immigration clearance channel was put into operation at Zhoushan Putuoshan International Airport in East China's Zhejiang province on April 14, allowing eligible travelers to complete exit and entry procedures in just 12 seconds through facial recognition.

The channel, the first of its kind in Zhoushan, is installed in both departure and arrival halls, with automated gates supported by biometric identification and data analysis technologies. It reduces the average clearance time from about 50 seconds to 12 seconds, improving efficiency during peak travel periods.

People holding permits for travel to Hong Kong and Macao, or Chinese mainland travel permits for Hong Kong and Macao residents, can pass through by scanning documents and verifying their facial and fingerprint data. Those unable to complete biometric verification, including first-time users, can switch to manual counters without delay.

Since the launch of the Zhoushan-Hong Kong route in November 2024, the airport has handled more than 470 international flights and over 40,000 inbound and outbound passenger trips. The new channel is expected to further enhance processing capacity and support the airport's role as a regional gateway.