Facelift for century-old Shanghai Airport

In order to match increasing traffic and demand for more advanced facilities, Shanghai's Hongqiao Internatioal Airport's terminal 1 will start renovations at the end of the year, said the Shanghai Airport Authority.

The project to overhaul the terminal is expected to take three years. This is the first time that the terminal has been expanded since 1994.

According to the Shanghai Airport Authority, Shanghai is developing rapidly; air traffic is exploding, making terminal 1 more outdated and inadequate. In addition, the eastern area of the airport, where terminal 1 is located, needs better commercial development and infrastructure improvement to fit modern aviation service requirements.

Hongqiao International Airport was built in 1921. The airport served as the launching pad for the maiden flight of the nation's civil aviation in 1929.

After the completion of the terminal 2 on the west side, terminal 1 became an alternative airfield for international and chartered flights to and from Japan, South Korea, and commercial flights to and from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau. It also served as an airfield for low-cost Spring Airlines' flights, said to Li Derun, president of the Shanghai Airport Authority.

The terminal will remain operational during the renovation process. It will continue to serve 15 percent of Hongqiao Airport's 700 daily flights, Li added.

The terminal 1 along with the east-side transportation center and neighboring infrastructures will have a new look after the renovation. The Shanghai Airport Authority expects that passengers will have a better traveling experience after the renovations.