Many regions in China are building satellite terminals for major airports. The move is expected to save both time and money for passengers.

For instance, a terminal network is taking shape in south China's Guangdong province, where terminals for major airports are built in surrounding cities.

Such network enables local people to finish check-in before taking shuttle coaches to the airport in big cities.

"It will save me half the money on transportation to the major airports. It is also time-saving."

Many passengers say they used to drive or take taxis to the airports. But now, local check-in service and exclusive coaches have made it a cheaper and more convenient journey.

In some other busy cities, airports are stepping up their construction of terminals in surrounding cities. These include Nanjing and Qingdao in the east, as well as Shenyang in the northeast.

But some experts suggest that such terminals could also be built in downtown area within the city.

Ni Lu, a senior consultant in the aviation industry explains.

"For passengers, they could feel that an airport is located right in the city center. They can save time and enjoy the service as early as possible."

Ni Lu takes Beijing as an example and said that inter-city terminals could reduce the pressure for airports. This is especially true in the period when they are meeting an increasingly number of passengers brought by growing economy and communication.

"People in Beijing could finish check-in in a downtown terminal near their homes, normally the transportation hubs within Beijing. These facilities equals to the terminals at the airports."

So far, there are nearly 150 airports in China. Building terminals in surrounding cities or in downtown could both be ways for major airports to extend services and to better integrate themselves into metro transport networks.