China's first airport for private jets will be opened next year in Shanghai's Hongqiao Airport ahead of the World Expo which starts in May.

The structure of the first phase of the jet base has been built and is now being fitted out, Thursday's Shanghai Morning Post reported.

Passengers can usually book private jets as little as a day ahead of departure, the report said, but they cost more than first class seats.

Most business jets are capable of carrying 10 passengers.

Passengers will get fast service at the 3,000-square-meter terminal as it will have separate security inspections, quarantine and customs from the other Hongqiao Airport terminals.

The base will have a garage that can accommodate three business jets.

Base officials estimated up to 4,000 business flights will arrive in Shanghai during the World Expo. By 2015, they expect 6,000 private flights a year.

Currently, about 2,000 private flights are operated a year in China, mostly from Shanghai and Beijing.

(Shanghai Daily August 21, 2009)