Beijing Daxing International Airport

Beijing Daxing International Airport
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Name	Beijing Daxing International Airport
IATA	PKX
ICAO	ZBAD
Owner	Civil Aviation Administration of China
Operator	Beijing Capital International Airport Company Limited
City-served	Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region
Location	Daxing District, Beijing & Guangyang District, Langfang, Hebei
Opened	26 September 2019
Hub	* Air China * China Eastern Airlines * China Southern Airlines * XiamenAir
Metric-elev	30
Coordinates	39, 30, 33, N...
Website	www.bdia.com.cn

Beijing Daxing International Airport is a major international aviation hub serving the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region. Opened in September 2019, it was constructed to alleviate congestion at the older Beijing Capital International Airport and to support the growing air travel demands of northern China. The airport is renowned for its expansive, starfish-shaped terminal designed by the late architect Zaha Hadid and the firm ADPI (Aéroports de Paris Ingénierie). It functions as a key hub for several major carriers including Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines.

History and development

Planning for a second major airport to serve Beijing began in the early 2000s amid rapid growth at Beijing Capital International Airport. The State Council of the People's Republic of China approved the project in 2014, with construction commencing in the Daxing District the same year. The site, straddling the municipal border with Hebei province, was chosen to promote the integrated development of the Jing-Jin-Ji economic region. The airport was built at a rapid pace, with its official opening ceremony presided over by President Xi Jinping on 25 September 2019, before commencing commercial operations. The project represented a cornerstone of China's 13th Five-Year Plan for modernizing national infrastructure.

Design and architecture

The airport's pioneering design was the result of an international competition won by a consortium led by Zaha Hadid Architects and ADPI. The terminal's radical form, resembling a giant phoenix or starfish, consolidates all passenger processing under a single, vast roof to minimize walking distances. Its structural design incorporates a large central courtyard and extensive use of natural light, with a roof supported by a complex network of Catenary arches. Sustainable features were integral, including a comprehensive Ground source heat pump system and one of the world's largest airport solar power installations. The layout is engineered for efficiency, supporting the airport's goal of handling high volumes of passengers and aircraft with direct connections to high-speed rail and subway lines.

Terminals and facilities

The airport currently operates one mega-terminal, which is the world's largest single-building airport terminal. This integrated structure houses four concourses radiating from a central hall, designated A, B, C, and D. It features over 300 check-in counters, extensive automated baggage handling systems, and numerous duty-free retail outlets operated by companies like China Duty Free Group. Passenger amenities include themed gardens, a wide array of dining options featuring both international and local brands like Haidilao, and premium lounges for airlines such as British Airways and Finnair. The facility is also equipped with advanced security screening technology and dedicated areas for air cargo operations.

Airlines and destinations

As a primary hub, the airport hosts a significant portion of operations for SkyTeam member China Eastern Airlines and alliance partner China Southern Airlines, along with Star Alliance member Air China. Major international carriers operating here include British Airways, Finnair, and Malaysia Airlines, offering direct flights to key global cities like London, Helsinki, and Kuala Lumpur. Domestic network coverage is extensive, with dominant service to major hubs like Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. The airport also serves as a focus city for XiamenAir and several low-cost carriers including Spring Airlines.

Ground transportation

The airport is a multimodal transport nexus, directly connected to the national high-speed rail network via the Beijing–Xiong'an intercity railway, with services to destinations like Beijing West and Xiong'an. The Beijing Daxing Airport Express provides a dedicated subway link to the city center, while the Daxing Airport Line of the Beijing Subway offers additional metro access. An extensive network of expressways, including the G5 and Daxing Airport Expressway, facilitates road travel. Several long-distance coach and intercity bus lines, operated by entities like the Beijing Public Transport Group, connect the airport to surrounding regions including Tianjin and Hebei.

Operational statistics

In its first full year of operation, the airport handled approximately 16 million passengers, though traffic was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, it was projected to handle up to 45 million passengers annually, with the capacity to expand to 72 million by 2025 and ultimately 100 million. The facility features four runways (three in initial operation) and 268 aircraft stands, designed to accommodate the world's largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380. Its cargo terminal is equipped to handle over 2 million tonnes of freight annually. The airport's operations are managed by the Beijing Capital International Airport Company Limited under the regulatory oversight of the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

Category:Airports in China Category:Buildings and structures in Beijing Category:2019 establishments in China