Guide Note

The Beijing Capital International Airport opened Terminal Three (T3)—the largest airport facility in the world—in 2008. It opened on February 29, 2008 for trial operations, and opened for normal business operations on March 26, 2008. T3 was one of many construction projects in Beijing that were built in preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Fast Facts

First stage opening: February 29, 2008
Introduced a select few airlines for trial operations in the terminal
Second stage opening: March 26, 2008
All of the resident airlines started normal operations
Cost: $2.7 billion
Size: Covers 1 million square meters
Largest covered area in the world
Capacity: 76 million passengers per year
Will serve an estimated 64 million passengers in 2008
Over 10,000 people forced to relocate to make way for the construction¹
First landing: February 29, 2008 at 8:50AM
First takeoff: February 29, 2008 at 9:35AM²

Other Pre-Olympics Construction Projects

Categories

News | China | Beijing Olympics

View Note History

Beijing Airport Terminal Three

Beijing Airport Terminal Three News and Information

Google News: Beijing Airport Terminal Three
Boarding.no: "Oneworld to Co-Locate into Beijing's New Terminal 3" (February 28, 2008)
Agence France-Presse: "Giant New Airport Terminal Set to Open in Beijing" (February 27, 2008)
- "The 2.7-billion-dollar project will have 17 percent more floor space than London Heathrow's five terminals combined"
The Guardian: "Beijing Capital International Airport's Terminal 3" (February 26, 2008)
CCTV International: "Terminal 3 in Beijing ICA Ready to Open" (February 25, 2008)
- "Passengers here can also leisurely stroll through Chinese gardens, and enjoy beautiful sceneries including pavilions, brooks, bridges and various plants. Designers say water and plants are not only eye-catching, they will also help humidify the airport."
Shanghai Daily: "Games City Terminal Put to the Crowd Test" (February 24, 2008)
Xinhua News: "New Beijing Airport Terminal Holds Last and Largest Drill" (February 23, 2008)

Beijing Airport Terminal Three Blogs and Commentaries

Shanghaiist: Beijing Airport's New Terminal 3 the Largest Building in the World?" (February 28, 2008)
The Age: "China's Gold Medal Gamble" (February 27, 2008)
Globerati: Bigger is Better at Beijing’s T3 ( February 13, 2008)

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