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Beijing Daxing International Airport (BDIA) is the world's biggest airport. Located in the Daxing district, 46km south of Beijing's Tiananmen Square, the airport is spread over 700,000 square metres, equivalent to almost 100 football pitches, and cost around $17 billion to build. The airport features four runways, with the possibility of three more in the future, and a unique starfish-shaped design by Zaha Hadid Architects, with five concourses stretching over one kilometre. The terminal building is the largest single-building terminal in the world and is designed to accelerate passenger travel, with a maximum of eight minutes from check-in to the boarding gate.
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Beijing Daxing is the world's biggest airport
The airport's unique starfish shape, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, is a nod to traditional Chinese architecture, with five concourses spreading out and stretching over one kilometre from end to end. The radial configuration ensures passengers can get from check-in to their boarding gate in a maximum of eight minutes, despite the terminal's size. The terminal's vaulted roof features skylights that allow natural light to enter, illuminating the terminal with a soft glow while also minimising energy consumption.
Beijing Daxing Airport is a triumph of new technologies and sustainable solutions. Over a hundred new patents were registered during its construction, and 65 new construction techniques were used, incorporating robotics and artificial intelligence. The airport features a solar farm that provides about 6.1 GWh of clean energy annually, and a centralised heating system that uses waste heat and rainwater for energy and resource needs. The airport also implements a water management system that employs natural storage, natural permeation, and natural purification of up to 2.8 million cubic meters of water to prevent flooding.
The airport is designed to be a major transport hub, with an integrated high-speed rail connection to Beijing and the surrounding regions, and a subway connection to Caoqiao Station in Beijing. It currently serves 45 million passengers per year and is expected to accommodate 72 million by 2025, with further expansion planned to serve up to 100 million passengers and four million tonnes of cargo annually.
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The airport cost $17bn to build
Beijing Daxing International Airport, the world's biggest airport, cost $17 billion to build. The airport, which is located in the Daxing district, 46km south of Beijing's city centre, was developed to alleviate congestion at the capital's existing airport. It is expected to handle 72 million passengers by 2025 and up to 100 million passengers and four million tonnes of cargo upon further expansion.
The airport's unique starfish shape was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, and it employs the latest sustainable solutions. The structure, made almost entirely of glass and steel, contains five traditional Chinese gardens, large, brightly lit public spaces, and shops and retail outlets representing international brands.
Beijing Daxing Airport incorporates energy-saving green concepts, allowing natural light into the building. The airport features a solar farm with photovoltaic cells mounted on the roof of the car park building, hangars, and cargo areas to generate 10MW of power. The centralised heating system is equipped with waste heat recovery systems and is supported by a composite ground-source heat pump system. A 100% rainwater collection facility was also installed to cater to the airport's energy and resource needs.
The airport also boasts innovative technologies, with over a hundred new patents registered during its construction and 65 new construction techniques used. Facial recognition technology speeds up queues, and there is 5G connectivity throughout the airport. The control tower can manage up to 300 take-offs and landings per hour on its seven runways, one of which is reserved for military flights.
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It is designed to handle 72 million passengers by 2025
Beijing Daxing International Airport (BDIA) is the world's biggest airport. It is located in the Daxing district, 46km south of Beijing's city centre, Tiananmen Square. The airport cost approximately $17 billion to build and opened in September 2019. It is designed to handle 45 million passengers per year initially, but this number is expected to increase to 72 million by 2025.
The airport's unique starfish shape was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. The terminal covers a 700,000m² area, with a ground transportation centre of 80,000m². The terminal's design guides passengers seamlessly through departure, arrival, or transfer zones towards a grand courtyard at its centre. The courtyard is a multi-layered meeting space, with eight flowing forms within the vaulted roof reaching the ground to support the structure and bring in natural light. The radial configuration ensures passengers take a maximum of eight minutes to get from check-in to their boarding gate.
Beijing Daxing Airport has four civilian runways and one military runway, with space to expand to seven runways in the future. The airport also has the world's first double-deck departure and arrival platforms. The airport's master plan was assigned to NACO (Netherlands Airport Consultants) and was developed with a focus on environmental protection. The airport features a solar farm with photovoltaic cells mounted on the roof of the car park building, hangars, and cargo areas to generate 10MW of power. It also implements rainwater collection and a water management system that can naturally store, permeate, and purify up to 2.8 million cubic meters of water.
The airport is a major transport hub with direct connections to Beijing, the national high-speed rail network, and local train services. It is also connected to the city via a high-speed subway and highway. The airport's control tower can manage up to 300 take-offs and landings per hour. Beijing Daxing Airport is designed to be a symbol of China's rise and sets a new standard in air transport services.
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The airport is built on a 2,679.01ha site
Beijing Daxing International Airport (BDIA) is built on a 2,679.01-hectare site, which is approximately 6,620 acres in size. The airport, which is located in the Daxing district, is about 46 kilometres south of Beijing's political centre, Tiananmen Square, and 50 kilometres from the city of Beijing. The airport is designed to be a mega airport with the world's largest single-building terminal, covering an area of 700,000 square metres. The terminal building, inspired by traditional Chinese architecture, features a central structure with six arms, resembling a phoenix spreading its wings from an aerial view. The unique starfish shape of the airport, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, is a triumph of new technologies and sustainable solutions.
The construction of the airport began in December 2014, and it officially opened in September 2019, with a total cost of approximately $17 billion. The airport is a major transport hub, serving the region with the fastest-growing demand for international travel. It is equipped with four civilian runways and one military runway, with the capacity to expand to seven runways in the future. The airport also features a railway hub measuring about 80,000 square metres, providing easy access to Beijing and the surrounding areas.
Beijing Daxing International Airport incorporates innovative technologies and sustainable solutions. Over a hundred new patents were registered during its construction, and 65 new construction techniques were utilised. The airport makes use of solar panels, providing clean energy, and a centralised heating system with waste heat recovery. It also implements a rainwater collection system and a water management system that employs natural storage, permeation, and purification. The terminal building is designed to maximise natural light, with a network of skylights and vaulted ceilings, while also incorporating energy-saving concepts.
The airport is designed to accelerate passenger movement, with a radial configuration that allows a maximum of eight minutes for passengers to get from check-in to their boarding gate. It features smart mobility solutions, including elevators, escalators, and moving walks, with the longest moving walk stretching over 93 metres. The airport also offers self-check-in and self-baggage facilities, as well as facial recognition technology to speed up queues. Beijing Daxing International Airport sets a new standard in air transport services, catering to the growing population within a compact and efficient terminal.
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It is designed to allow passengers to get from check-in to boarding in 8 minutes
Beijing Daxing International Airport is the world's biggest airport, with a unique starfish shape designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. The airport is located in the Daxing district, about 46km south of Beijing's city centre, and is expected to become the world's busiest airport, serving over 100 million passengers annually.
The airport's design is focused on minimal waiting times and efficient passenger flow. One of its standout features is the ability for passengers to get from check-in to boarding in just 8 minutes. This is facilitated by the centralised terminal design, which minimises walking distances. The terminal is designed with a central building and six arms, resembling a phoenix when viewed from above. This layout guides passengers seamlessly through departure, arrival, or transfer zones towards the grand courtyard at the centre.
The airport offers over 400 automated check-in points, allowing passengers to complete the check-in process quickly and efficiently. The use of facial recognition technology further speeds up queues. Additionally, the airport provides a ground transportation centre with direct connections to Beijing and the national high-speed rail network, making it convenient for passengers to reach the airport and move between terminals.
The airport also incorporates family-friendly facilities, such as changing rooms, baby sleeping areas, and feeding rooms. There are dedicated waiting spots for children and families, as well as amenities like heating and cooling devices for baby food and milk. The airport even features a playground for children over three years old near Gate A10.
With its innovative technologies, sustainable solutions, and passenger-centric design, Beijing Daxing International Airport sets a new standard in air transport services, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience for travellers.
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Frequently asked questions
Beijing Daxing Airport is the world's biggest airport. It is built on a 2,679.01-hectare (6,620-acre) site, located 46km-50km south of Beijing. The airport's terminal building covers an area of 700,000 square meters, equivalent to almost 100 football pitches, and is the largest single-building terminal in the world.
Construction of Beijing Daxing Airport began in December 2014 and the airport opened its doors in September 2019, less than five years after construction started.
Beijing Daxing Airport employs innovative technologies and sustainable solutions. Over a hundred new patents were registered during its construction, and 65 new construction techniques were used. The airport features a centralised heating system with waste heat recovery, a rainwater collection facility, and a solar farm that provides about 6.1 GWh of clean energy annually. The terminal building is designed to accelerate passenger travel, with a maximum of eight minutes to get from check-in to the boarding gate.
