CHINA. Beijing Daxing International Airport, set to be one of the world’s great aviation hubs, is set to be officially inaugurated on 30 September.
Flights will commence late the following month on a phased introduction basis.
The inauguration precedes The National Day of the People’s Republic of China, a national holiday and a time of great celebration for the Chinese people, on 1 October.
Located at Daxing, 46 km south of Beijing’s Tiananmen Square and 67k from Beijing Capital International Airport, the new gateway will have four runways initially, later to be extended to seven. Daxing International will have an annual throughput of 45 million passengers upon opening, rising to 72 million. The long-term traffic capacity is 100 million passengers, 4 million tonnes of cargo and 880,000 aircraft movements.
As revealed by The Moodie Davitt Report, China Duty Free Group (CDFG) was confirmed on 13 March as the dual winner of Beijing Daxing International Airport’s two ten-year duty free concessions for a) liquor, tobacco and food/confectionery and b) beauty and fashion. This will be complemented by a spectacular duty paid offer on the domestic level, featuring many of the world’s most renowned luxury brands, and an extensive food & beverage line-up.
Lagardère Travel Retail will be the largest commercial operator with over 30 units covering luxury fashion, beauty, travel essentials, specialty and food & beverage.
The spectacular airport features a centralised multi-finger corridor configuration, meaning a close proximity (no more than 600m) between the core commercial offer at the centre of the terminal and the farthest gate.
As reported, Groupe ADP company ADP Ingénierie recently completed the final design elements for Daxing International. ADP Ingénierie’s concept stacks the international and domestic levels vertically instead of spreading them out horizontally. This innovation led to the design of a compact terminal with a single centre for boarding pier control, positioned as stars around the building.
“Passengers can easily find their way within the open interior layout, gravitating naturally to the grand skylight central area where shops and services are located, and then walking straight ahead to their gate,” ADP Ingénierie said.
The airport operator said via a WeChat release: “Daxing is positioned as a large international aviation hub, a new power source for the country, and a comprehensive transportation hub for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region supporting the construction of the Xiong’an New District
Beijing Daxing International Airport will offer a “double hub” status alongside Beijing Capital International Airport, the company noted.
“Beijing Daxing International serves the national strategy, aiming to be a world-class airport which incorporates the learnings of civil aviation development over the past century. It fully demonstrates the latest achievements and the highest level of China’s civil aviation sector, with many innovations and world-class firsts.”
One of those firsts is a ‘double-decker’ road lane outside the airport, designed to alleviate traffic congestion and improve travel efficiency. Passengers heading to Daxing Airport can choose to enter from the third or fourth floors.
Eight spectacular C-shaped columns highlight the architecture and structure. The innovative design maximises external light, helping to save energy and protect the environment.
There’s also an impressive emphasis on the concept of Sense of Place. Themed inner courtyards are set at the end of each corridor, featuring Chinese gardens, silk, porcelain, tea and other elements, offering a combination of green space, light and culture for passengers.
[NOTE: The Moodie Davitt Report will bring you dedicated coverage of the Daxing International Airport opening and commercial offer, including duty free and duty paid retail, food & beverage and advertising, in a special report in coming weeks].
