Shanghai Pudong International Airport (ZSPD / 上海浦东国际机场)
One of Asia’s busiest gateways to the world.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport is the primary international airport serving China’s biggest city. Opened in 1999, Pudong international airport has grown into one of the world’s top ten busiest airports by passenger traffic, with over 76 million passengers annually in 2024 and a significant role in global cargo logistics.
The major airport for transiting a key hub for multiple airlines, such as:
Hub for
- Air China
- China Cargo Airline
- China Eastern Airlines
- China Southern Airlines
- DHL Aviation
- FedEx Express
- Juneyao Air
- Shanghai Airlines
- Suparna Airlines
- UPS Airlines
Focus City for
- Hainan Airlines
Operating base for
- Spring Airlines
Quick Information:
- Airport type: Public
- Owner / Operator: Shanghai Airport Authority
- Serves: Shanghai
- Opened: October 1st, 1999
- Location: Pudong, Shanghai, China
- Elevation AMSL: 4m / 13ft
- Coordinates: 31°08′36″N 121°48′19″E
- Website: Shanghai Airport (Group) Co Ltd
Runways
ZSPD has four parallel runways, arranged in two sets, handling nonstop domestic, international, and cargo traffic 24/7.There is also an additional fifth runway in construction to the east of the second set of parallel runways (16 /34s) specifically built for COMAC for testing of commercial jets such as the C909 and C919. All five runways are made of mixed concrete.
16L / 34R (4,000m) – Main departures runway for westbound long hauls and heavy aircraft.
16R / 34L (4,000m) – Also heavily used for arrivals and large aircraft operations.
17L / 35R (3,800m) – Eastern runway primarily handling cargo and some international departures.
17R / 35L (3,800m) – Paired with 17L, also used for arrivals and domestic operations.
33 / 15 (3,400m) – The fifth runway of the airport built for COMAC (not planned for commercial use).
Note: Runway 17L/35R is adjacent to cargo terminals and often used by FedEx, DHL, and China Cargo.
Runway selection depends on prevailing winds but typically favors the 34/35 configuration.
Where Do I Park and Spawn?
I Terminal 1 (T1)
→ T1 handles the majority of international and domestic traffic for Chinese carriers, mainly for China Eastern, Air France, Delta, and other SkyTeam member airlines.
→ Gates 1 through 32 connect directly to the main terminal.
→ Remote stands west of the terminal are used during peak hours.
A380-capable gates: Remote 205, 208, Gate 24.
Terminal 1 Satellite (S1)
→ The S1 terminal is mainly served for Domestic routes by China Eastern and Shanghai Airlines.
→ S1 and S2 are not connected.
| Terminal 2 (T2)
→ T2 handles most traffic from International carriers, such as Emirates, Lufthansa, Etihad, Air New Zealand.
→ Gates 64 to 80 are all connected to the main concourse.
→ Remote stands to the east handle overflow, short-haul ops, and parked aircraft.
A380-capable gates: Remote Stands 806, 809, 810, 816. Main Terminal Gates 71 and 75.
Terminal 2 Satellite (S2)
→ The S2 terminal is mainly served for Domestic and International routes by other Chinese Airlines, though there are exceptions for carriers such as Mahan Air.
→ As stated abovve, S1 and S2 are not connected.
Note: Terminal 2 also supports international departures for some Chinese airlines such as Juneyao, Spring, and Air China.
Cargo Operations
→ Located on the west side near runways 17R/35L.
→ Major cargo carriers include FedEx, UPS, DHL, China Cargo, and Korean Air Cargo.
→ Gates: Apron 3 Cargo 310 to 347.
GA & VIP Parking
→ General Aviation apron is located west of Terminal 1 Satellite, near the 35L threshold.
→ Government, medical, and private jets use these ramps. Parking stands are limited.
Taxi
Taxiing at big airports is a tough task! The chart below will make sure you know what route to take for taxiing at ZSPD
SIDs – Standard Departure Procedures
Shanghai’s airspace is tightly controlled with radar vectoring and noise-sensitive procedures. SID names vary by direction and altitude. Below are some popular RNAV departures:
Northbound
→ ODU01D / ODU02D and ODU81D / ODU82D – Common SID for northbound traffic (e.g., Shenyang, Harbin, Dalian).
Eastbound
→ LAM01D / LAM02D and LAM11D / LAM1D – Common SID for eastbound traffic (e.g., Korea, Japan, U.S.).
Southeastbound
→ HSN01D / HSN02D and HSN81D / HSN82D – Common SID for Southeastbound traffic (e.g., Taiwan, Hong Kong, Okinawa).
Southbound
→ AND01D / AND02D and AND81D / AND82D – Common SID for Southbound traffic (e.g., Xiamen, Ningbo, Guangzhou).
Westbound
→ NXD01D / NXD02D and NXD81D / NXD82D – Common SID for Westbound traffic (e.g., Wuhhan, Chongqing, Chengdu).
Northwestbound
→ PIK01D / PIK02D and PIK81D / PIK82D – Common SID for Southeastbound traffic (e.g., Beijing, Russia, Europe).
IF ATC is present, expect radar vectors shortly after departure. Keep altitude and speed within published constraints.
STARs – Standard Arrival Procedures
STARs are assigned by direction of entry and runway in use.
Northeast
→ MAT01A / MAT11A – Common STAR for traffic coming from Korea and northeast regions.
East
→ DUM01A / DUM11A – Common STAR for traffic coming from Japan, and Americas.
South
→ AND01A / AND11A – Common STAR for traffic coming from Guangzhou, Xiamen, Hong Kong.
Westbound
→ SAS01A / SAS11A – Common STAR for traffic coming from Beijing and Europe.
STARs in Shanghai often include holding patterns during high congestion periods. Plan fuel accordingly!
ATC Tips and Runway Configurations
Typical Configurations:
- Departures: 34L / 35R
- Arrivals: 34R / 35L
- Heavy traffic: Mixed parallel ops with cargo flows on 17/35 and passenger ops on 16/34 (though IRL, T2 traffic also taxi to the west side for departures)
Taxi Tip: Expect long taxi times for cargo aircraft or remote stands. Use drag-and-taxi instructions when able.
For In depth SID and STAR charts for ZSPD click here
Whether flying a transpacific long haul to Detroit or a short haul over the Hangzhou bay to Ningbo, Shanghai Pudong offers a truly world-class experience. Safe flights and smooth landings!
Since this is my first airport guide, I will continue to revise and correct this post. Please feel free to reply with details that I missed about this airport!
Also a big shoutout and thank you to @Levet and @ZuhairM for their great work of 3D senery editing of this airport!
Thanks!
ka77
