Shanghai opens new airport terminal tomorrow

Shanghai will take the wraps off a new airport terminal tomorrow, the result of a US$2.2 billion makeover of Hongqiao Airport ahead of the World Expo opening in May.

The new terminal is four times the size of the old airport, which was designed for 9.6 million but ended up handling 25 million last year.

Comprising a new runway as well, the expansion will lift Hongqiao?s handling capacity to 40 million and is expected to alleviate pressure during the expo run on Pudong Airport, which handles mainly international flights while the former serves domestic airlines.

A direct metro line to the new terminal will also open tomorrow, which for the first time will link Hongqiao to the city by subway. The terminal will also be connected via high-speed trains from Nanjing on July 1, and from Beijing next year.