Hainan Airlines' Beoing 737 aircraft takes off from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport on March 3. [Photo/VCG]

Shanghai has emerged as a national frontrunner in aviation passenger throughput, according to recent data released by Shanghai Airport Group, showcasing a robust recovery in the city's aviation transport market. Over the first five months of this year, Shanghai's airports welcomed a staggering 50.207 million passengers, surpassing national benchmarks.

Shanghai Airport Group reported processing a total of 329,000 flights during this period, marking a significant 27.1 percent year-on-year increase. Cargo throughput also witnessed a remarkable surge, reaching 1.662 million tons, reflecting a 15.4 percent uptick compared to the same period in the previous year. Notably, these figures have exceeded pre-pandemic levels observed in 2019.

In terms of international connectivity, Shanghai's airports now offer regular flights to 48 countries and 281 passenger and cargo destinations. This year has seen the addition of five new international passenger flight destinations, including Athens in Greece, Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, Penang in Malaysia, Manama in Bahrain, and Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam.

Additionally, five suspended flight destinations have been reinstated, such as Saint Petersburg, Novosibirsk, and Vladivostok in Russia, Brussels in Belgium, and Takamatsu in Japan. Furthermore, flights to key countries like the United States, Germany, Turkiye, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia have seen an increase from the previous year.

Looking ahead, Shanghai airports are gearing up to expand their international reach in July by introducing new destinations such as Manchester in the UK and Marseille in France, while also boosting flights to Brussels.

Shanghai Airport Group said it is actively collaborating with domestic and international airports as well as airlines to engage in joint marketing efforts, with the aim of continuously broadening the aviation market and providing travelers with an extensive array of options.

Source: thepaper.cn