Shanghai has become China's first city to top 100 million air passengers and only the world's fifth following Atlanta, London, New York and Tokyo.

Shanghai counted its official 100 millionth passenger on Dec 12, when a "Mr Mao" landed at Pudong International Airport (PVG) with China Eastern Airlines on flight MU592 from Moscow, Russia.

In the past year, Shanghai Airports have maintained a steady growth in passenger throughput, aircraft movements and cargo traffic. According to statistics, a total of 99 million passengers traveled through Pudong International Airport and Hongqiao International Airport in 2015, making the city the busiest among all Chinese airports.

The two airports handled a combined 3.7 million tons of cargo and mail and 700,000 aircraft movements in the past 12 months, hitting new records.

PVG has started the construction of the world's largest satellite airport terminal, which will be able handle 38 million passengers annually when it is completed in 2019.

Mr Mao (R), Shanghai's 100 millionth passenger, poses for a picture with a staff of flight MU592, Dec 12. [Photo/Shanghai Airport Authority]