Shanghai Pudong International Airport began the construction of its Terminal 3 on Nov 20, marking a significant milestone in the airport's phase-IV expansion project, which is slated for completion in 2028. Terminal 3, located south of the existing Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and the satellite terminal, will have a design capacity of 50 million passenger trips, according to the Shanghai Airport Authority.

The phase-IV expansion plan, which commenced in January 2022, is a critical component of China's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) and plays a vital role in the Yangtze River Delta region's airport cluster project.

Upon completion, Shanghai Pudong International Airport will boast three terminals, one satellite terminal, and four runways. The combined area of its terminals will exceed 1.7 million square meters. This expansion is expected to enhance the interconnectivity of the Yangtze River Delta region, cater to the public's demand for high-quality transportation, and support the growth of aviation enterprises in the area.

Currently, the Shanghai Airport Authority operates two airports, encompassing four terminals, one satellite terminal, and six runways. The group manages over 100 million passenger trips and more than 4 million tons of cargo annually, with flights reaching 114 international destinations across 48 countries.

Since the beginning of this year, both passenger flow and cargo throughput at Shanghai's two airports have been recovering at an accelerated pace. In the first 10 months alone, the passenger flow exceeded 100 million trips, representing a year-on-year increase of 32 percent.

The construction of Terminal 3 is poised to significantly boost Shanghai's capacity to handle increasing passenger and cargo volumes, reinforcing its position as a key player in global aviation and supporting the region's economic development.