City's airports, airlines prepare for travel rush
Shanghai’s airports and airlines have created emergency plans, increased capacity on popular routes and improved their service ahead of the summer travel rush, the Shanghai Airport Authority said yesterday.
The summer travel peak began on July 1 and runs until August 31. This period will see an increase in passenger traffic on both domestic and international flights as well as more frequent delays and cancellations due to the rainstorms, thunder and typhoons.
To ensure smooth operations at both Hongqiao and Pudong international airports, the airport authority has established a joint operation management platform with civil aviation authorities and various airlines.
Flights delayed or cancelled by bad weathers will be rearranged and adjusted more swiftly with the platform, while passengers will be informed of weather conditions and flight changes in a more timely manner, the airport authority said.
Domestic and international airlines have also added flights on popular routes.
Flights between Shanghai and northwest and northeast Chinese cities, as well as outbound flights to Japan, South Korea and other east Asian destinations are expected to be the most popular routes this season.
China Eastern Airlines has added flights from Pudong to St. Petersburg and Moscow mainly in response to the ongoing World Cup in Russia. The Shanghai-based airline also plans to open a new direct flight between Shanghai and Dubai in September.
US-based Delta Airlines will open a daily direct flight between Pudong and US transit-hub Atlanta starting from July 22. Passengers can connect to other north and south American destinations via this new flight.
The airport authority has also opened a series of self-services for passengers to check in luggage, get certificates verified, alter tickets, board planes and claim lost luggage without assistance of airport staff.
China Eastern, Shanghai Airlines, Air China, China Southern, Juneyao and Spring airlines have opened counters for passengers on domestic flights to check in baggage themselves at terminals at both airport.
With no need for traditional boarding cards, passengers with valid credentials can also be security checked via a QR code sent by their airlines.
Meanwhile, parking garages at both airports’ terminal buildings now allow drivers to use mobile payment in an effort to reduce traffic congestion.
The Hongqiao and Pudong airports have also finished maintenance on mist spraying systems at outdoor taxi queues. They will soon begin spraying mist to cool passengers waiting in hot weather.