The expansion project of Beijing Capital International Airport
was launched Sunday morning as part of the city's preparations for
the 2008 Olympic Games.
A key state project listed by the State Council, or the cabinet,
the enlarged airport will be able to accommodate 60 million
passengers and 1.8 million tons a year.
Currently, the airport has two runways and two terminal
buildings with a combined annual handling capacity of 35 million
passengers. An official forecast showed the peak monthly passenger
arrival at the airport is to hit 5.56 million during the 2008
Olympic Games, which is equivalent to the normal transport volume
predicted for 2015.
The expansion project includes construction of a new runway, a
new terminal building, a cargo zone and some auxiliary projects. It
will cost a total of 19.45 billion yuan (US$2.3 billion)
and be completed by 2007.
An international consortium composed of Naco of the Netherlands
and Foster of Britain won the bid to build the new terminal
building.
(Xinhua News Agency March 28, 2004)