All the international flights currently handled by Hongqiao Airport will have been transferred to Pudong Airport by late October this year; thereafter, Hongqiao will exclusively handle domestic flights, and Pudong the international ones, sources said.

Pudong Airport has failed to attract as many flights and passengers as Hongqiao, as it is much farther from downtown Shanghai. Besides, Hongqiao has better ground transport connections to the city.

It is learned that Hongqiao shoulders over 70 percent of the total air passenger transport burden of Shanghai, with the average seating rate over 20 percent higher than at Pudong.

Following the reshuffle, air passenger transport will be better balanced between Hongqiao and Pudong, and the latter will operate at a much higher efficiency rate, according to experts.

Also starting from next month, a 6-month maintenance will be done for part of the Hongqiao airport parking apron.

(China Daily March 15, 2002)