The aviation sector in East China's Shanghai is poised for significant growth according to the latest estimates – with daily flights predicted to increase by 11.5 percent to 2,481 flights in the 2024 summer-autumn season, which begins on March 31.
Domestic flights are expected to increase slightly by 0.4 percent to a total of 1,686 daily flights. But the action is in international flights – as well as flights to Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. These are seen soaring by 91.2 percent in the season, with 566 flights scheduled daily, according to estimates released by the Shanghai Airport Authority.
In the upcoming season, Shanghai airports will connect with 91 international destinations, including three new ones added since last season.
Countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative will connect with 42 destinations, while intercontinental flights will reach 32 destinations, 26 of which will have at least one daily flight.
Notable cities on the list include Los Angeles, Dallas, Seattle, San Francisco, Frankfurt, Paris, London, Rome, Milan, Moscow, Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland and Addis Ababa.
Pudong Airport will expand its domestic network to 154 destinations, introducing new routes to Xiangxi, Kashgar and Langzhong. It will also increase the frequency of 19 domestic routes with eight or more daily departures, focusing on cities such as Shenzhen, Beijing, Jieyang, Chengdu, Xi'an and Qingdao.
On the international front, Pudong will connect to 90 destinations, resuming services to St Petersburg and Novosibirsk in Russia and adding new routes to Athens and Riyadh. Flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Detroit will be further increased with a bilateral agreement allowing 100 weekly flights between China and the US.
Hongqiao Airport will introduce new domestic destinations, including Beihai, Cangyuan, Diqing, Hulunbuir and Jiayuguan, bringing the total to 75.
It will also enhance 15 domestic routes with more than eight daily departures and increase frequencies on 14 other routes – with the most additions to Beijing Daxing, Nanning, Xining, Hohhot and Kunming. International flights will continue to Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, Macao and Taipei.
The strategic expansion is said to underscore Shanghai's commitment to strengthening its status as a key global aviation hub, offering more travel options and promoting economic development through improved connectivity.
