First commercial flight arrives at BCIA

After much anticipation, fanfare and hubbub, Beijing Capital International Airport received its first commercial landing today after its official opening on Friday. After flight SC1151 arrived at 08:50 from Jinan, 41 more flights alighted throughout the day, the first day of operations ending smoothly without incident.

The US$ 3.8 billion terminal was designed by British architect Lord Foster, and the 986,000 square metre dragon-shaped terminal took four years to complete. The terminal measures in a double the size of the two existing terminals in Beijing, and will be able to more tan adequately deal with the influx of visitors this summer for the Olympic Games.

The new yearly capacity of 76 million people more than doubles the previous capacity of 36 million. The Olympic Games are expected to ferry through 5.56 million people, adding to its standing as one of the top ten busiest airports in the world.

For the initial period of opening, six airlines will call the terminal home; British Airways, El Al Israel Airlines, Shangdong Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, Qantas Airways and Qatar Airlines.