Flying in and out of Beijing is about to get a whole lot more frustrating. One of Beijing Capital International Airport’s three runways will be closed for repairs throughout April, South China Morning Post reports. This means fewer flights, longer taxiing times and more frequent delays – especially for anyone flying domestic.
According to a statement released by the airport, repairs on the middle runway are scheduled to occur from April 2 to April 29.
Beijing Capital International Airport is the second busiest airport in the world, and the middle runway receives 40 percent of its traffic. So far 300 flights a day are scheduled to be cut. The airport will now receive 1,400 flights a day, compared to its usual 1,700.
Because of the runway repairs, the number of airlines passengers at Beijing Capital International Airport is expected to decline by 10 to 15 percent in April.
According to Wang Yanling, the airport’s control center manager, international flights will not be impacted but the number of some domestic flights will be reduced.
“Airlines will cope by using bigger aircraft and having fuller flights,” Wang said.
Nineteen airlines will be impacted by the repairs, including Air China, China Southern Airlines and Hainan Airlines. Cathay Pacific Airways and Cathay Dragon – which offer 10 daily flights between Beijing and Hong Kong – will not be impacted by the closure.
Sun Xiaoyi, an airport official, said longer taxiing times and more flight delays are highly likely. Passengers might also have to wait longer on planes and at baggage claim, Sun added.
The airport’s middle runway first opened in 1958. The airport has been delaying the much-needed repairs because of the major disruptions it will cause the airport.
Man we wish our fancy new airport were open for business. It’s going to have seven runways… just saying.
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