China Eastern and Shanghai Airlines check-in desks to close earlier
Passengers taking China Eastern and Shanghai Airlines domestic flights out of Hongqiao International Airport will have to check-in earlier than normal from today.
Check-in desks now close 40 minutes before departure — up from 30 minutes — for domestic flights at both terminal buildings of the airport.
The closure time for international flights remains unchanged at 45 minutes prior to takeoff at Hongqiao, and 50 minutes at Pudong airport, China Eastern said.
"The earlier closure aims to let passengers allow more time for security checks with the increased passenger traffic on domestic flights during the summer vacation," a staff member with the airline, surnamed Shen, said.
China Eastern and Shanghai airlines introduced self-service check-in procedures at Pudong's T1 and Hongqiao's T2 from early last month to shorten the check-in time, but 20 percent of passengers are still checking in manually at the desks, the airline said.
Flight closure times remain unchanged for China Southern Airlines, Air China and Spring Airlines at the city's two airports, which is 45 minutes before departure.
China Southern recently reminded passengers to arrive at the airport earlier due to the large number of passengers in the peak season, a press officer with the airline said today.