Pudong and Hongqiao airports in East China's Shanghai are doing roaring business, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Total freight throughout last year of 4.36 million tons set a record. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_01c0f79320c5]
The total freight throughput of Pudong and Hongqiao airports in East China's Shanghai took off to hit 4.36 million tons last year, up 8.47 percent year-on-year – breaking the previous record of 4.23 million tons set in 2017 – according to the Shanghai Airport Authority, or SAA, which runs both facilities.
As the world's number three and China's biggest international air cargo hub, the Shanghai Pudong International Airport has a freight network covering 48 countries and regions and 251 destinations. In 2021, the inbound and outbound air cargo volume of Pudong accounted for 93.7 percent of the total in Shanghai.
The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic posed challenges, brought about a shortage of air transport resources in the world.
However, the air cargo terminal of Pudong Airport and the logistics station of China Eastern Airlines responded by taking the initiative. They provided air logistics solutions for airlines, multinational corporations and leading domestic businesses – guaranteeing exports of high-grade and high-value-added materials such as electronics products and components, medicines and in particular COVID-19 vaccines.
SAA makes every effort to guarantee the export of COVID-19 vaccines, contributing to the global fight against the epidemic. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_01c0f79320c5]
To counter the tight transport capacity brought about by the novel coronavirus, the SAA is said to have provided services for domestic and overseas airlines. This helped them to expand their business by transforming passenger planes into cargo aircraft, with the support of civil aviation policies.
Last year, 42 domestic and foreign airlines carried out "passenger-to-cargo transport" business at Pudong Airport, with over 100 such flights departing from and landing in Pudong Airport daily on average.
A venue covering some 10,000 square meters is built for the disinfection of imported goods. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_01c0f79320c5]