Triple runway trialed in Beijing

The first test of all three runways in operation at the same time at the new Beijing Capital Airport occurred on September 25th. The trial was the first of its kind in Asia where three runways in simultaneous operation has never occurred.

The airport recently completed the construction of its third runway which is expected to open to airline traffic sometime next month. With the extra runway, the airport has been able to increase its capacity in time for Olympic bound flights in 2008.

With the new terminal building which was only recently unveiled, it is now estimated that the airport will be able to handle up to 60 million travelers every year.

During the Olympic period alone, the airport is expecting a massive 5.56 million people to fly in and out of the airport.

An official for the General Administration of Civil Aviation, Duan Shili, says that only a few airports in the world operate three runways simultaneously.

Beijing has been working to improve its facilities since 2004. Unfortunately, a recent survey conducted by the Airports Council International placed Beijing 62nd globally, indicating that international passengers have a very low opinion of its facilities.