A new radar air traffic control system went into operation in this municipality Monday.

   The system, aimed to ease air traffic during forthcoming APEC  meetings, will exercise control over areas above the Hongqiao and  Pudong International Airports.

   Shanghai ranks second following Beijing in terms of daily  flight volume. After the completion of the Pudong International  Airport, flights to Shanghai increased significantly. In the first half of this year, flights totaled 90,000 in the municipality,  with daily flights exceeding 550.

   In radar-controlled areas, the volume of flights can be  increased from 30 aircraft to 60 aircraft per hour.

   Sources said that the system will also be installed along the  air routes from Beijing to Shanghai, and Beijing to Guangzhou in  two years.