Shanghai is No. 4 in the world for air passenger throughput figures

Shanghai’s two airports have between them become the biggest air hub in China, the transport commission announced yesterday. 

Passenger throughput of Pudong and Hongqiao airports totaled 106 million in 2016, ranking Shanghai in 4th place around the world, according to Airports Council International. The top three were respectively Atlanta, Beijing and London; Hong Kong ranked 9th.

Transport commission officials said 107 airlines have launched routes to Pudong or Hongqiao, and the city’s airline network covers 282 cities globally. Two dozen routes have been newly launched to Belt and Road countries.

Meanwhile, the quality of airport service has also improved, with the rate of flights leaving on schedule in October being 83.9 percent at Pudong, and 90.37 percent at Hongqiao, according to Fang Huaijin, vice-president of Shanghai International Port Group.

The Shanghai airports are also at the forefront of technology. Hongqiao, for example, uses the leading technology FOD (foreign object debris) remote monitoring system to safeguard the runway. Shanghai Airport application is now able to provide a one-stop service for passengers — covering public transport, information and shopping in the airport, to checking in and boarding.

Meanwhile, Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, which is the biggest cruise terminal in Asia, is aiming to become one of the top three terminals in the world before 2020.

“Now Wusongkou terminal allows two large cruise ships to dock: by 2018 that number will double,” said Zhang Lin, deputy director of Shanghai transport commission.

No. 1 berth port of Wusongkou terminal has completed a “shore power project,” to create the world’s largest shore power system for cruise liners, officials said. The system is expected to cut pollution emissions by 95 percent.