Shanghai Airport Authority says Passenger Growth Rate Affected by Earthquake
20 June 2008
Shanghai Airport Authority says it will struggle to meet passenger handling targets this year, as visitor numbers to the region have been impacted by the devastating Sichuan earthquake.
Pudong International Airport and Hongqiao Airport had aimed to handle 56 million passengers this year.
In the first five months, Pudong International Airport and Hongqiao Airport handled 21.22 million passengers, 5.02% more than a year before.
Authority Vice-President Wang Guangdi said passenger volume for May grew at a slower pace due to the earthquake.
"The passenger volume for May grew at a slower pace partly because the Sichuan earthquake dampened the tourism industry," he said.
Wang predicts that the airports will receive a boost in the next few months with the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing in August.
The two airports handled 51.57 million passengers last year.
By Elizabeth Clifford-Marsh
