Shanghai Airport Authority is warning that its target of handling 56 million passengers through the city's two civil airports will be hard to achieve this year, following the Sichuan earthquake, which has had an impact on the number of tourists flying into the city.

In the first five months, Pudong International Airport and Hongqiao Airport handled 21.22 million passengers, 5.02% more than a year before. Cargo volumes rose 12.04% to 1.25 million tonnes, says the authority's vice-president, Wang Guangdi.

"The passenger volume for May grew at a slower pace partly because the Sichuan earthquake dampened the tourism industry," says Wang, who claims it will be hard for the group to accomplish this year's target due to the worsening global economic outlook.

Wang predicts that the airports will receive a boost in the next few months with the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing in August. The two airports handled 51.57 million passengers last year.

He also expects Shanghai International Airport Co. to maintain its forecast 11% profit growth this year as the Olympic Games is expected to bring more business opportunities.

Pudong Airport will host more new flights as its newly added second terminal greatly boosts the airport's capacity, while Hongqiao Airport will have open a second terminal and runway in the first half of 2010, says Wang.