(Yicai Global) Sept. 10 -- The third expansion of Shanghai Pudong International Airport, the world's largest satellite terminal, will open on Sept. 16 to take the transport hub's annual service capacity to 80 million passengers.

The 620,000 square meter facility is located on the south side of terminals one and two at the airport, the Shanghai Observer reported yesterday. The extension includes two linked terminals, S1 and S1, offering departure, arrival and transit services.

The extension adds 90 new boarding bridges to the airport, and takes the proportion of flights not requiring shuttle buses to 90 percent from 50 percent. Planes parked at the bridges will be able to switch from international and domestic flights without moving to another boarding gate.

The new terminal will also have 28,000 square meters of space dedicated to businesses, with the capacity to support 159 merchants: 100 commercial shops, including a 10,000 square meter duty-free store, 55 restaurants and four financial outlets.

Passengers traveling between the main and satellite terminals can access a rapid transit system that will open the same day. A one-way trip using the system takes just 150 seconds and runs every five minutes.

Editor: James Boynton