Pudong airport busy in run-up to holiday
The bustling Shanghai Pudong International Airport
There has been a surge in people heading overseas using Shanghai Pudong International Airport in the lead-up to the four-day Labor Day holiday that starts from May 1.
According to immigration inspection officers, the number of passengers leaving the country hit 240,000 between April 25 and 28.
Half are office workers who combine their annual leave with the Labor Day break.
Their destinations are mainly regions close to the Chinese mainland, such as Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and some Southeast Asian countries.
Officers expect that the trend will last through May 1. They expect the total number of entry and exit passengers during the holiday will reach 430,000.
To ensure a smooth passage, the airport is enhancing guidance on the use of self-service machines.
Immigration inspection officers have opened eight special channels at the airport's Terminals 1 and 2 for passengers involved in projects and events for the Belt and Road Initiative.
As of Monday this year, Pudong airport has helped more than 5 million passengers with their entry and exit procedures.
The daily average is 42,000, an increase of more than 30 percent from last year.
Its 10-second self-service system is becoming more and more popular with passengers.
The automated entry system
Eight special Belt and Road channels have been opened.
