People can enjoy better traveling experience at Pudong International Airport as Terminal Two opened on Wednesday together with other facilities under the airport's expansion project. Now with two terminals and three runways in operation, the airport's annual capacity is expected to rise to 60 million passengers, ready for the Olympic and 2010 World Expo. Our Shanghai correspondent Zhou Jing has the story.
Reporter:
Arriving at 6:45 Wednesday morning, , Malaysian businessman Jason Wong was among the first batch of travelers to arrive at terminal 2 at Pudong International Airport.
Though Wong hasn't seen much of the new terminal, his first impression of it is quite good.
I'm now on the departure floor of the terminal 2. The interior looks very spacious, beautiful and well-lit as I look up and see specially glazed panels are installed on the roof to allow the sunlight to penetrate. It's one of the energy-saving designs of the new terminal. But what has impressed passengers more is the service they've received here. Mrs. Chen is seeing her parents off at the terminal.
"We've booked a wheelchair service for my parents. They've followed us all the way. This service is really great."
And for Tracy Gibson, a passenger from United States, the free shuttle bus service between the two terminals has really solved her problem.
And as distinct from Terminal 1, more public facilities like toilets, baby-care rooms and smoking areas are available on all floors of Terminal 2.
The third runway, the west cargo zone and the integrated traffic center facilities have also launched operations together with the new terminal building on Wednesday.
Local authorities started construction to expand the Pudong airport in December 2005 after the single terminal tower and supporting facilities were deemed insufficient to serve the rapidly growing number of passengers.
Deputy president of Shanghai Airports Group, Li Derun, says the project terminal two is just one part of the overall second phase construction.
"Pudong International Airport will be built into an airline traffic hub in Asia and one of the most important airports in the world. The planned capacity will reach 80 million passengers a year with five runways, three terminals and two satellite halls. The construction will be carried out step by step."
For China Drive, I'm Zhou Jing, CRI News, Shanghai.