The Chinese media reported on Thursday 30^th August 2007 that, with the 2008 Olympics now fast approaching, Beijing's principal airport intends to implement a number of measures to improve facilities and boost efficiency. Among these, stated the Beijing News, are price reductions within its terminal shops, construction of additional food outlets/restaurants, and making provision for improved treatment of customers when their flights are delayed.

Quoting the Capital Airport Passenger Service Promotion Council, the newspaper detailed how airlines are obliged to provide half-hourly updates regarding delayed flights, and, when such delays exceed four hours, provide free hotel accommodation.

Pending next summer's Olympic Games, then, Beijing is set to reduce prices on over 1,700 products sold within its terminals, to dispel the school of thought that says "anything you buy at the airport will certainly be expensive". At present, a marked difference can be noted between prices charged at the airport, compared to downtown Beijing. To take one example, a bag of vacuum-packed Peking duck will cost 98 Yuan at the airport (approximately $13.00), but only 72 Yuan in the high street.

When, recently, the Airports Council International undertook a survey of airports the world-over - based on passengers' opinions of their facilities and performance - Beijing came 62^nd. The survey highlighted, alongside the ranking, how there existed a very obvious gap between it and Sydney or Athens airports - in reference to other cities in which the Olympic Games have been held in recent times.

It is known that China's airport industry is undergoing significant development and expansion, with vast sums of funding going into projects to construct new airports. Airport International will continue to provide unrivalled coverage of China's flourishing aviation scene, especially as the Beijing Olympics draw ever closer.

Source - Airport International's Far East Correspondent

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