Terminal 1 at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport was officially put into use on Oct 15, after nearly four years of renovations, and will provide improved services for the forthcoming China International Import Expo (CIIE).

Initiated in December 2014, the project included the renovation of the terminal, the traffic center, the surrounding infrastructure, and even part of the flight area.

After renovation, the second floor of Terminal 1 will handle departures and the first will handle arrivals. The arrival floor extends outward to the traffic center, so passengers will have easy access to all modes of transport, such as the subway, buses and taxis.

The renovation project has not only enhanced service functions but also greatly changed the interior and exterior environments.

All the check-in counters for Spring Airlines have moved from Island A to Island D, and all the international and Hong Kong-Macau-Taiwan flights are operated at Islands A and B.

As well, self-help service equipment for check-in, security checks and boarding has been introduced to improve boarding efficiency and the experience of domestic departure passengers.

Apart from the self-help service equipment, some washrooms for infants and the disabled were added in Terminal 1's domestic departure and arrival areas. To meet the needs of business travelers, free high-speed internet access is provided in parts of the domestic departure area.

Given that passengers will not be familiar with the new flight-taking procedures and self-help equipment in the early stages, Hongqiao Airport and Spring Airlines have informed passengers in advance through text messages, WeChat, its website and service hotline.

Moreover, volunteers, airline employees and airport staff will work together to give instruction passengers and guide marks have also set up.

Self-help check-in equipment is introduced to Terminal 1 of Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. [Photo/fuerjiamuye.com]

A passenger uses the self-help security check equipment in Hongqiao Airport on Oct 15. [Photo/fuerjiamuye.com]

A staff member shows a couple how to use the self-help check-in equipment. [Photo/fuerjiamuye.com]