Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA) has seen rapid growth over the past decade as China has become a focal point for development in the global aviation business. Just ten years ago the gateway was not even among the top 30 airports in the world by passenger traffic and after making its first appearance in Airports Council International’s ‘Top 30’ ranking in 2004 in the number 20 position it has since rocketed up the table in the annual rankings, entering the top 10 in 2006 and reaching the number two position in 2010.
BCIA is now closing in on the number one position, which has been held by Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport since the late 1990s, and it could inherit the largest airport mantle within the next five years if current rates of growth continue and by which time another major hub airport for the Chinese capital could have been constructed.
Our analysis below shows the amazing growth at BCIA with passenger numbers up 237.4 per cent since 2003, flights up 129.2 per cent and seat capacity up 137.2 per cent. Based on current loaded schedules for 2013, annual departures will grow 2.6 per cent this year to over 282,000 and annual capacity will increases 2.1 per cent to 53.5 million departing seats. This is a remarkable story that was made possible by the construction of the massive 986,000 square metre Terminal 3 structure, one of the largest buildings in the world.
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SCHEDULED PASSENGER DEMAND AND CAPACITY AT BEIJING CAPITAL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT |
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|
Year |
Passengers |
% Change |
Annual Flights |
% Change |
Seat Capacity |
% Change |
|
2012 |
81,929,359 |
4.1 % |
274,868 |
4.9 % |
52,459,315 |
6.9 % |
|
2011 |
78,675,058 |
6.4 % |
262,106 |
3.3 % |
49,080,193 |
3.6 % |
|
2010 |
73,948,113 |
13.1 % |
253,677 |
7.3 % |
47,394,181 |
7.7 % |
|
2009 |
65,372,012 |
16.9 % |
236,409 |
13.2 % |
44,003,288 |
11.9 % |
|
2008 |
55,937,289 |
4.4 % |
208,903 |
7.5 % |
39,338,351 |
8.7 % |
|
2007 |
53,583,664 |
10.1 % |
194,287 |
5.6 % |
36,182,356 |
8.1 % |
|
2006 |
48,654,685 |
18.7 % |
184,040 |
12.1 % |
33,472,318 |
13.5 % |
|
2005 |
41,004,008 |
17.5 % |
164,126 |
11.8 % |
29,498,113 |
10.1 % |
|
2004 |
34,883,190 |
43.6 % |
146,751 |
22.4 % |
26,783,746 |
21.1 % |
|
2003 |
24,283,818 |
- |
119,923 |
- |
22,117,058 |
- |
“Our focus right now is for growth in North America, Africa and southeast Asia, Gao Lijia, executive vice president, Beijing Capital International Airport told The HUB at the recent World Routes forum in Las Vegas. You can watch our exclusive video interview from the event, below.
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