By expanding its two airports in the coming years, Shanghai hopes to become Asia's largest cargo-mover by 2010.

The dream will move a step forward tomorrow, when the Shanghai airport authority unveils a new terminal, runway and cargo facility at Pudong International Airport.

Annually, the new facilities will allow the airport to handle 40 million more passengers and 1.2 million more tons of cargo. Currently, it can accommodate 28 million passengers and 2.5 million tons of cargo a year.

The new terminal will be 500 m north of the existing one. Three walkways will link the terminals together.

"It will take passengers just 10 minutes to find a bus, train or taxi," general manager of Shanghai International Airport Co Ltd Jia Ruijun said.

Domestic transfers in the new terminal will take passengers no more than 29 minutes, and international transfers less than 51 minutes, he said.

The top floor of the three-story building will be for international departures, the second will be for international arrivals, and the first will be for domestic arrivals and departures, he said.

A second terminal building and a second runaway will also be opened at Hongqiao International Airport by 2010 to increase the city's airport annual capacity by 30 million passengers and 1 million tons of cargo, Jia said.

The airport expansions have been triggered by China's rapid economic development.

Shanghai's airports have been struggling to keep up with passenger and cargo demand since 2004.

This summer's Beijing Olympics and the Shanghai World Expo in 2010 are expected to put extra pressure on Shanghai's airports. The Expo is estimated to bring about 50 million visitors.

(China Daily March 25, 2008)