China's economic hub Shanghai is speeding up construction efforts to make itself a major international air service hub.

Work has begun recently on a main road leading to the Pudong International Airport, while the groundwork and water drainage projects have been appraised for its third runway, according to sources with the Shanghai Airport (Group) Ltd.

The new runway that is being built is to be 3,400 meters long and 60 meters wide, capable of accommodating large jet aircraft including the Airbus A380-800. It will be put into use before Beijing hosts the 2008 Olympics, the sources said.

The road is scheduled for completion in 2007, the sources added.

The airport also has its second terminals and western cargo area under construction, which are due to be finished at the end of next year.

In line with Shanghai's plan, the Pudong International Airport will eventually have five runways, three terminals and two supporting halls, with an annual handling capacity of 80 million passengers and 5.7 million tons of cargo.

Meanwhile, Hongqiao airport will have two parallel runways and two terminals, with an annual handling capacity of 30 million passengers and one million tons of cargo, the sources said.

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