URUMQI - More than 10 million passengers traveled to northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in the first half of the year, Xinjiang Airport Group announced on Wednesday.

The figure represented growth of 13.8 percent year on year, said the group.

Air cargo volume reached 75,600 tonnes in the first six months of 2014, representing growth of 11.9 percent year on year.

The surges in passenger numbers and cargo were due to Xinjiang's expanding tourism market and more direct air routes into the region.

There are 16 airports in Xinjiang.