The blueprint for Shanghai air traffic terminal construction has been brought to an end. After an extensive collection of public opinions Shanghai Air Terminal Strategic Plan was officially approved at the second working conference of the leading group for the construction of Shanghai air traffic hinge held in Beijing on 1 November. This is to make Shanghai an air-traffic center in the Asia-Pacific region.

Objectives of Shanghai air traffic terminal construction at different phases:

First phase

The first phase between 2005 and 2007 is mainly the period of preparation for laying the foundation for the construction. The second phase project of Pudong International Airport will be completed at large by then and the volume of passenger flows of the two airports will reach 49 million and 2.5 million tons in cargo transports, living up to the reputation as an international terminal for passenger and cargo transportation.

Second phase

The second phase starting from 2007 to 2010 is a period of adjustment and improvement aiming at putting Shanghai into a real air traffic hinge. In this period, all facilities of Pudong International Airport will be brought into operation and the reconstruction and extension of Hongqiao Airport will also be completed. The volume of passenger traffic and cargo transport of these two airports will reach 84 million and 4.1 million tons respectively, which will put the two airports into the qualification of the largest air terminal for passenger and cargo transports in Asia.

Third phase

Being a mature and expansion period, the third phase, starting from 2010 to end in 2015, will establish Shanghai's reputation as an air traffic hinge. By then, the volume of passenger traffic and cargo transport of Shanghai will stand out from among the best in the Asia-Pacific region, 100 million and 7 million tons respectively. Pudong International Airport will have 4 runways and its air traffic controlling ability will meet the world's advanced level. A terminal airline network with Shanghai as a core will be more and more mature. The volume of air traffic and the weekly frequency of flights are expected to exceed the average level of the world air traffic terminals.

By People's Daily Online