Beijing's New Airport

Context:

After almost 5 years of construction and more than 80 Billion RMB spent, Daixing officially opened its doors to the general public on the 25th September. Whilst it only contains one terminal building unlike many other major airports, the single structure is so large that the single terminal is expected to be able to handle around 170 million passengers per year. Designed by the late Zaha Hadid, the terminal features a “starfish” like shape.

Analysis:

With a second airport, Beijing now joins an exclusive club of cities that has two long-haul international airports, which include New York and London. Given that the Beijing Capital International Airport was already expanded in 2008, the growth must have been significant enough to justify the hefty investment in such a facility. The data would suggest as such. In 2010, the old airport welcomed 73 million passengers whilst in 2018, it welcomed almost 101 million passengers. Combined with the upcoming 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, the airport not only represents the continued rise in China’s demand for flying but also the stature of Beijing as an international city.

Looking Ahead:

For any airport to have a sustainable future it would have to have a certain number of users using the facility. The opening of a second international airport can, arguably, be also linked with the rise of domestic air travel within China. Given that China has the world’s largest population and a population that becomes ever more aware of their surroundings alongside a growing disposable income, air travel which was previously viewed as a luxury item for many would become more common.

Sources: BBC, Airports Council International