On the 25^th September 2007, Beijing Capital International Airport trialled, successfully, the use of three runways at the same time. The test marked the first time a triple runway operation has taken place anywhere in Asia.

The airport’s third, recently constructed runway, will begin to accept airliners from the end of next month onwards. Ultimately, it will bolster Beijing’s capacity to receive transport connected to the Summer Olympics being held in 2008. In general terms, Beijing Capital has been making provision for next year’s event since 2004.

The runway is but part of a wider construction programme that will also deliver a new terminal, a dedicated cargo area, 100 further airliner parking areas and other amenities.

Currently, with a pair of runways and two terminals, Beijing Capital International Airport is able to accommodate 35 million travellers per annum. When fully expanded, this will - according to the latest figures – increase to 60 million.

In respect of the Olympic period, it is forecast that the airport’s monthly passenger volume will peak at 5.56 million.

According to Duan Shili, an official at the national General Administration of Civil Aviation, the use of three runways simultaneously poses significant challenges. Only a handful of airports in Europe and the US are capable of handling them, he added.

Just days ago, the new terminal was shown off to the world’s press. Still under construction, Terminal 3 is set to undergo flight/facilities testing in February 2008.

Recently, the Airports Council International carried out a global survey of airports, based on passengers' opinions of their facilities and performance. Beijing came 62^nd, highlighting a wide chasm between it and Sydney/Athens airports - among the other cities in which the Olympic Games have been held in recent times.

Without doubt, China represents a bubbling hotbed of development within the airport industry at present. As such, Airport International will continue to provide unrivalled coverage of the very latest news to emerge as we get the facts.

Source – Airport International’s Far East Correspondent

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