SHANGHAI Airport Authority yesterday announced the launch of a new scheme that allows Chinese passengers flying from Hongqiao Airport with China Eastern Airline, and carrying only hand luggage, to bypass the usual check-in procedure.

The authority provided only scant details of the scheme, but said it is designed to speed up the process for people traveling light.

Instead of going to the check-in desks, such passengers — as long as they have checked in via the China Eastern website — can proceed direct to the security channels where they will be asked to show their identity cards, it said.