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There is a limited selection of food and dining options at Terminal 2. There is only one restaurant in the international area of the terminal once passengers are past security, and the prices are several times higher than similar food downtown Beijing. A Japanese set meal is advertised on the official airport website as RMB 88<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.bcia.com.cn/en/in_westfood_eatlist.html|title=Beijing Capital Airport - food options|accessdate=2007-07-25}}</ref>, four-times higher than a similar offering downtown. By comparison, the domestic area of Terminal 2 has a number of dining options, all at more reasonable prices. [[Kentucky Fried Chicken]] and [[Starbucks]] have recently opened outlets in the airport in both Terminals 1 and 2, but they are only available before passengers go through check-in and security.
There is a limited selection of food and dining options at Terminal 2. There is only one restaurant in the international area of the terminal once passengers are past security, and the prices are several times higher than similar food downtown Beijing. A Japanese set meal is advertised on the official airport website as RMB 88<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.bcia.com.cn/en/in_westfood_eatlist.html|title=Beijing Capital Airport - food options|accessdate=2007-07-25}}</ref>, four-times higher than a similar offering downtown. By comparison, the domestic area of Terminal 2 has a number of dining options, all at more reasonable prices. [[Kentucky Fried Chicken]] and [[Starbucks]] have recently opened outlets in the airport in both Terminals 1 and 2, but they are only available before passengers go through check-in and security.


[[Image:BeijingAirport_03_L.jpg|Thumb|Beijing Capital International Airport, showing the birds-eye view of Terminal 3.]]
[[Image:BeijingAirport_03_L.jpg|thumb|Beijing Capital International Airport, showing the birds-eye view of Terminal 3.]]


'''Terminal 3''' is currently under construction. It has been designed by the [[United Kingdom|British]]-based architectural firm [[Foster and Partners]], and is expected to be completed by early [[2008]]. Far grander in size and scale than the existing terminals. It will become the largest airport terminal building complex built in a single phase with 900,000 sq. meters in total floor area. It will feature a main passenger terminal(Terminal 3A), two satellite concourses(Terminal 3B and Terminal 3C) and five floors above ground and two underground. A luggage moving system will help passengers get their baggage up and down floors.
'''Terminal 3''' is currently under construction. It has been designed by the [[United Kingdom|British]]-based architectural firm [[Foster and Partners]], and is expected to be completed by early [[2008]]. Far grander in size and scale than the existing terminals. It will become the largest airport terminal building complex built in a single phase with 900,000 sq. meters in total floor area. It will feature a main passenger terminal(Terminal 3A), two satellite concourses(Terminal 3B and Terminal 3C) and five floors above ground and two underground. A luggage moving system will help passengers get their baggage up and down floors.

Revision as of 06:54, 11 September 2007

Beijing Capital International Airport

北京首都国际机场

Běijīng Shǒudoū Guójì Jīcháng
Summary
Airport typePublic
OperatorCivil Aviation Administration of China
ServesBeijing
LocationChaoyang District, Beijing
Elevation AMSL116 ft / 35 m
Coordinates40°04′48″N 116°35′04″E / 40.08000°N 116.58444°E / 40.08000; 116.58444
Websitewww.bcia.com.cn
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
18L/36R 3,800 12,467 Asphalt
18R/36L 3,200 10,499 Asphalt
Statistics (2006)
Passengers48,501,102
Metric tonnes of cargo1,028,908
Aircraft movements376,340

Beijing Capital International Airport (simplified Chinese: 北京首都国际机场; traditional Chinese: 北京首都國際機場; pinyin: Běijīng Shǒudū Guójì Jīcháng) (IATA: PEK, ICAO: ZBAA) is the main international airport that serves the capital city of Beijing, People's Republic of China. The IATA Airport Code is PEK, reflecting Beijing's former Romanization Peking. Another code is also frequently used BJS, reflecting the current pinyin spelling of Beijing and including all airports in the Beijing metropolitan area; currently, Beijing Capital (PEK) is the only civil aviation airport that falls under BJS. Entering either code will get a passenger to the same airport.

Beijing Capital International Airport is located around 20 km to the northeast of Beijing city center. Although many consider it to lie in Shunyi District, it, in fact, is an exclave of Chaoyang District, Beijing.

The airport is the main hub of Air China, Hainan Airlines, and China Southern Airlines. The airport expansion is largely funded by a 500-million-euro (USD 625 million) loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB). The loan is the largest ever granted by the EIB in Asia and the agreement was signed during the eighth China-EU Summit held in September 2005.[citation needed]

Beijing Capital is today the busiest airport in the People's Republic of China, having registered double-digit growth annually since the SARS crisis of 2003. In 2004, it became the busiest airport in Asia by aircraft movements, overtaking Tokyo International Airport (Haneda). In terms of passengers, Beijing was the second-busiest airport in Asia and ninth-busiest worldwide in 2006. In 2006, it served 48,501,102 passengers, moved 1,028,908 metric tonnes of cargo and had 376,340 aircraft movements.[1] In 2006, BCIA is the 30th busiest airport in terms of traffic movements and the only Airport in Asia/pacific region to appear in the top 30. It is also the 20th busiest airport in terms of cargo traffic.

History

Beijing Capital International Airport, showing the new (taller) and old (lower) air traffic control towers, Terminal 1 (front) and Terminal 2 (the blue structure behind Terminal 1)

Beijing Airport was opened on March 2, 1958, and was the first in the People's Republic of China.[citation needed] The airport consisted of one small terminal building, which still stands to this day, apparently for the use of VIPs and charter flights. On January 1, 1980, a newer, larger building -- green in colour -- opened, with docks for 10–12 airplanes. The terminal was larger than the 1950s one, but by the mid 1990s it was overwhelmed with people and was tested well over the limit. The terminal was then closed for renovation after the opening of Terminal 2.

In late 1999, to mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of the PRC, the airport was expanded again, reaching its current state in this expansion. This new terminal opened on November 1, and was named Terminal 2. September 20, 2004, saw the opening of a new Terminal 1 for a few airlines, including China Southern Airlines domestic and international flights from Beijing. Other airlines' domestic and international flights still operate in Terminal 2.

Another, even more ambitious expansion, is in the works, due for completion in time for the 2008 Olympics. This includes a 3rd runway and another terminal for Beijing airport, and a rail link to the city centre.

On January 29, 2005, direct flights between Mainland China and Taiwan via the areas over Hong Kong and Macao took place after 56 years, mainly to allow families and relatives on the two sides of the strait to get together for Chinese New Year. Flying to Taiwan were planes from Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. This became known as a part of the Three Links.

As China has begun to emerge as a player in global economics and foreign policy, the rights to fly to the country in southeast Asia has become a top priority for several airlines in the world, especially those in the United States.

In recent years, the United States' Department of Transportation, in coordination with China's Civil Aviation Administration, have approved several U.S. carriers to fly select routes between the countries. The coordination has been the work of several bilateral civilian air agreements, including the most recent one signed in 2004 that paved the way for the number of daily flights between China and the United States to increase by five-fold.[2]

Airlines and destinations

Landing rights at the airport are much-coveted. After slots were given to Federal Express, Continental Airlines began non-stop flights between Newark and Beijing on June 15, 2005. The airport currently has two terminals. Terminal 1 serves mainly for China Southern Airlines and a few other airlines, Terminal 2 serves all remaining Chinese airlines and all international flights (including Hong Kong and Macau). A third terminal is currently under construction and it is expected to be built by 2007.

Terminal 1

Terminal 1, which was green in colour, first opened on January 1, 1980. After the opening of Terminal 2, Terminal 1 was then closed and went through renovation. Terminal 1 then reopened on September 20, 2004, replacing the original 1980s terminal building. This was the airport's only terminal until 1999. It is now used mostly for China Southern Airlines' domestic and select international flights to and from Beijing.

  • China Southern Airlines (Changchun, Changsha, Chengdu, Dalian, Guangzhou, Guilin, Guiyang, Haikou, Hangzhou, Harbin, Mudanjiang, Nanning, Sanya, Shanghai-Hongqiao, Shenzhen, Shenyang, Urumqi, Wuhan, Xi'an, Xining, Yanji, Yiwu, Zhangjinag, Zhenzhou, Zhuhai)
  • Xiamen Airlines (Fuzhou, Jinjiang, Wuyishan, Xiamen)

Terminal 2

The departure hall of Beijing Capital International Airport Terminal 2

Terminal 2 opened on November 1, 1999, a month following the 50th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. This terminal was used to replace Terminal 1 while undergoing renovation, cramping all airlines into this terminal. This terminal now contains all other airlines' domestic and international flights. It may eventually contain only Hong Kong, Macau, and international flights.

Beijing Capital International Airport - Terminal 2 Domestic & International Departure Hall Drop Off Entrance
Beijing Capital International Airport - Terminal 2 International Departure Waiting Hall
Beijing Capital International Airport - Terminal 2 Arrival Luggage Pick Up Hall
  • Aeroflot (Moscow-Sheremetyevo)[3]
  • Aerosvit Airlines (Kiev-Boryspil)
  • Air Algerie (Algiers) [by end of 2007] [1]
  • Air Astana (Almaty)
  • Air Canada (Toronto-Pearson, Vancouver)
  • Air China
    • Domestic: (Aksu, Altay, Ankang, Anqing, Anshan, Bangda, Baoshan, Baotou, Beihai, Bengdu, Changchun, Changde, Changdu, Changsha, Changzhi, Changzhou, Chaoyang, Chengdu, Chifeng, Chongqing, Dachuan, Dali, Dalian, Dandong, Datong, Dunhuang, Enshi, Fuyang, Fuyun, Fuzhou, Ganzhou, Golmud, Guanghan, Guangzhou, Guilin, Guiyang, Haikou, Hailar, Hanzhong, Hangzhou, Harbin, Heihe, Hengyang, Hohhot, Huangshan, Huangyan, Jiamusi, Ji'an, Jiayuguan, Jilin, Jingdezhen, Jinghong, Jinjiang, Jinzhou, Jiujiang, Jiuquan, Jiuzhaigou, Karamay, Kashi, Korla, Kumul, Kunming, Kuqa, Lanzhou, Lianyun'gang, Lijiang, Linyi, Liuzhou, Luoyang, Luzhou, Mangshi, Meixian, Mianyang, Mudanjiang, Nanchang, Nanchong, Nanjing, Nanning, Nantong, Nanyang, Ningbo, Panzhihua, Quanxhou, Qiemo, Qingdao, Qingyang, Qinhuangdao, Qiqihar, Quzhou, Sanya, Shanghai-Hongqiao, Shanghai-Pudong, Shantou, Shashi, Shenyang, Shenzhen, Shijiazhuang, Simao, Suzhou, Swatow, Tacheng, Taiyuan, Tongliao, Tongren, Ulanhot, Urumqi, Wanxian, Weifang, Weihai, Wenzhou, Wuhan, Wuyishan, Wuzhou, Xiamen, Xi'an, Xiangfan, Xichang, Xilinhot, Xining, Xuzhou, Yan'an, Yanji, Yantai, Yibin, Yinchuan, Yining, Yiwu, Yulin, Yuncheng, Zhangjiajie, Zhoatong, Zhoushan, Zhengzhou, Zhongdian, Zhuhai)
    • International: (Athens, Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Busan, Copenhagen, Daegu, Delhi, Dubai, Frankfurt, Fukuoka, Hong Kong, Hiroshima, Jakarta, Karachi, Kathmandu, Kuala Lumpur, Kuwait, London-Heathrow, Los Angeles, Madrid, Melbourne, Moscow-Sheremetyevo,[3] Munich, Nagoya-Centrair, New York-JFK, Osaka-Kansai, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Phuket, Rome-Fiumicino, San Francisco, São Paulo-Guarulhos, Sapporo-Chitose, Sendai, Seoul-Incheon, Singapore, Stockholm-Arlanda, Sydney, Tokyo-Narita, Ulaanbaatar, Vancouver, Yangon)
Airport terminal architecture in Beijing Airport's Terminal 2 (April 2006 image)

Terminal 3

Currently under construction, due for completion by 2007.

Cargo airlines

Terminals

Terminal 1 opened September 20, 2004 and handles China Southern (CZ) flights, and originally was planned to handle domestic traffic, excluding those to Hong Kong and Macau. It was converted from the 1980s structure and has been thoroughly remodelled. Terminal 1 is relatively small, with approximately ten boarding gates.

Terminal 2 formerly served domestic and international flights in one relatively compressed terminal. That stress is now being taken more and more by Terminal 1. Terminal 2 is far bigger than Terminal 1. It can easily handle twenty airplanes at docks connecting directly to the terminal building.

There is a passage linking the two terminals together; this is accessible at the public level (no passports needed).

There is a limited selection of food and dining options at Terminal 2. There is only one restaurant in the international area of the terminal once passengers are past security, and the prices are several times higher than similar food downtown Beijing. A Japanese set meal is advertised on the official airport website as RMB 88[4], four-times higher than a similar offering downtown. By comparison, the domestic area of Terminal 2 has a number of dining options, all at more reasonable prices. Kentucky Fried Chicken and Starbucks have recently opened outlets in the airport in both Terminals 1 and 2, but they are only available before passengers go through check-in and security.

File:BeijingAirport 03 L.jpg
Beijing Capital International Airport, showing the birds-eye view of Terminal 3.

Terminal 3 is currently under construction. It has been designed by the British-based architectural firm Foster and Partners, and is expected to be completed by early 2008. Far grander in size and scale than the existing terminals. It will become the largest airport terminal building complex built in a single phase with 900,000 sq. meters in total floor area. It will feature a main passenger terminal(Terminal 3A), two satellite concourses(Terminal 3B and Terminal 3C) and five floors above ground and two underground. A luggage moving system will help passengers get their baggage up and down floors. When completed, it will provide 66 more aerobridges or jetways--further complemented with remote parking bays which will bring the grand total of gates to 120 for the terminal alone. An additional runway is also projected to be constructed at that time. Upon completion, it is reported that passengers will be able to travel from the entrance of Terminal 3 to the farthest gate in less than 5 minutes. [5]

Connections

The Airport Expressway Toll Gate at Xiaotianzhu (August 2004 image).

Connections by Road

The airport was remote when it was first built. Then, a solitary, narrow road served it from the area now known as Sanyuanqiao.

When China started opening up in the 1980s, the airport was full of activity and the tiny, narrow road that used to serve it was tested to the limit. As a result, in the early 1990s, a nearly 20 km stretch of toll expressway -- the Airport Expressway -- connecting downtown Beijing from the Northeastern 3rd Ring Road at Sanyuanqiao directly to the airport -- was opened.

By 2008, four expressways will link to the airport:

All of these expressways, except for the Airport Expressway are currently under construction as of early 2005.

Connections by Rail/Urban Public Transit

There are currently no light rail or underground routes serving the airport; however, the Airport Extension to the Beijing subway began construction in 2005 and is set to be completed on June 30, 2008, in time for the 2008 Olympics. Buses run from the airport to many parts of the city.

References

  1. ^ a b Template:PDFlink, Airports Council International, 7 March 2007
  2. ^ "United States Department of Transportation" (Press release). 2004-07-24. Retrieved 2007-08-08. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Template:Ru icon Federal State Unitary Enterprise "State Air Traffic Management Corporation", Summer Air Traffic Schedule 25.03.2007 - 27.10.2007 (Airports - Russian international), 29 May 2007, p. 51-52
  4. ^ "Beijing Capital Airport - food options". Retrieved 2007-07-25.
  5. ^ http://www.china.org.cn/english/travel/108260.htm

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Beijing Capital International Airport.
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