Shanghai's Hongqiao and Pudong airports handled 14.737 million arrivals and departures and 769, 000 tons of cargoes in 1999, 7.46 and 34.39 percent more than in 1998 respectively.

Both growth rates were among the highest among China's airports.

The airports upgraded ground services facilities and intensified supervision on travel safety last year. No fire and travel accidents were reported, sources said.

Hongqiao airport now has air links with 97 overseas and domestic cities. A total of 42 domestic and foreign airlines introduced flights to Shanghai on more than 300 air routes.