Shanghai's new Pudong International Airport is to enter a six-month running-in period in November, after completing initial trials, it was revealed at the show.
The $1.6 billion airport, which opened on 16 September, will eventually serve all international and most domestic flights, now being transferred in three stages from the old Hongqiao International Airport. Pudong is handling 22 domestic flights daily, operated by China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines.
According to Shanghai Airport (Group) president Wu Xiangming, the running-in period will see the new airport processing 314 domestic flight weekly, operated by 11 Chinese carriers, as well as 38 weekly international services.
The new airport offers a 4,000m (13,100ft) runway and two-way Category II precision approach landing system. Its 280,000m² (3 million ft²) terminal area can handle up to 20 million passengers annually and 400,000t of cargo.
Up to three more runways and the growth of the terminal area are included in development plans.
Source: Flight International
