86 globaltravelerusa.com MARCH 2019
Leaps and Bounds
Beijing Capital International Airport expands and adapts to growing passenger numbers.
BY ERICH MARTIN
aiport update
BEIJING CAPITAL
INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT
en.bcia.com.cnCHINA’S NO. 1
GATEWAY:
Beijing Capital
International Airport
PHOTO: © QIN0377 -
DREAMSTIME.COMTHE BIGGEST AIRPORT SERVING the capital of the People’s Re-
public of China experienced many major expansions and improvements
since its inception in 1958. China’s No. 1 Gateway, as it is known locally,
remains one of the largest and busiest airports in the world.
With China’s growth on the international stage, Beijing Capital
International Airport’s traffic volume also grew. Between 1978 and 2014
the airport expanded from serving 1.03 million passengers every year to
86.13 million passengers annually. The jump represents the second-
largest growth among airports in the same timeframe. In addition to
serving a massive number of passengers annually, the airport works
hard to uphold standards of social responsibility. To this end it produces
annual corporate responsibility reports and constantly works toward a
positive economic impact for the surrounding region.
Beijing, located in the northeast portion of the country, is the
second-most populous city in the world at 18.5 million people. In order
to accommodate such a robust city, Beijing Capital International Airport
needs to implement special service standards.
The entire airport operation hinges on being able to run smoothly
even while dealing with massive numbers of passengers. On-site check-in
opens about 90 minutes before takeoff on domestic flights and extends to
two hours for international flights. Like all major airports, Beijing Capital
recommends perusing security guidelines before arrival so there are no
surprises when guests finally travel through security.
This behemoth of an airport really stands out in terms of guest en-
tertainment and culture. Between airport staff putting on performances
for guests, art exhibitions and more, the airport offers plenty to catch the
eye of travelers as they make their way through the facility. The staff art
troupe performs singing, dancing and magic shows every day at Termi-
nal 3-E. In the same terminal, guests can feed fish at two gardens with
complimentary feed supplies and take in cultural performances as well.
Just as much visual wonderment catches guests’ interest throughout
the rest of the airport. With fountain-bolstered rainbows, photography
walls, digital experience zones and much more, guests always find some-
thing to look at while they make their way to their gates. Terminal 1 is
home to the secret garden display, indicative of the tropical destinations
guests may see when departing from that terminal, while other terminals
feature playgrounds for children and lounges for passengers to comfort-
ably pass the time until their departure.
Beijing Capital International Airport was founded more than 50
years ago, but it continues to grow and adapt. With nearly 100 million
passengers in 2017, the last year measurements were available, it is safe to
say it is still growing and serving Beijing well.