Following a three year renovation, the T1 terminal of Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport will reopen to the public with full-service operation commencing from October 15, reports Shine.
The Terminal 1 building revamp commenced during December 2014. To minimize the impact on routine operations at the airport, the reconstruction was divided into two phases. The first half was completed in March 2017, and the second phase will be finalized next week, right before the opening of the China International Import Expo.
Image via Shanghai Airport/WeChat
A welcomed element of the renovation is the introduction of self-service machines. In Section D of the new T1 building, travelers will find 28 self-service check-in machines, through which they can print their boarding pass and print luggage tag themselves. Then, they can check in their luggage at one of the 18 self-service counters. Moreover, security check and boarding can be managed through machines as well. All procedures can be finished by merely scanning an ID card.
Images via The Paper
"Take security check as an example, we used to rely on manual power, now with the help of machines, the process time can be shortened to 12 seconds per person," one staff member at the airport advised The Paper. "We hope more and more tourists can experience the convenience of this."
Images via The Paper
In addition to the newly-added self-service machines, the revamped Terminal 1 also installed 11 restrooms, nine nursing rooms and 10 wheelchair accessible toilets. Free Internet and recharging areas will also be available.
The primary purpose of the upgrade is to elevate the service quality by improving the internal infrastructure, interchange system and the surrounding environment.
"It is safe to say that Hongqiao International Airport is currently the most advanced airport in the country regarding self-service," one of the airport managers told The Paper. "It may take some time for tourists to adjust to the new layout, but they will see it is in line with the development trends for international airports around the world."
[Cover image via Wikipedia]
