The second terminal of the Shanghai Hongqiao Airport came into operation on March 16 ahead of the opening of the Shanghai World Expo amid the city's efforts to build a "world-class" traffic hub. The extension of Shanghai's subway Line 2, which has links with the new terminal, started operating the same day.

The 360,000-square-meter terminal, with a new runway and 45 airplane parking bays, is expected to boost the airport's annual transportation capacity to 40 million people, said Shen Xiaosu, Deputy Director of Shanghai's Urban, Rural Development and Traffic Committee.

Eleven domestic carriers have already moved their services to the new terminal. The old terminal will be used by some budget airlines and chartered flights to Japan and the Republic of Korea, according to the airport's website.

(Beijing Review NO. 12 MARCH 25, 2010)