Record-Breaking Summer Travel Season
As the summer travel season unfolds, Beijing Capital International Airport has witnessed a significant surge in passenger traffic. With an average daily throughput of 44,000 international and regional passengers, this marks a 63% increase compared to the same period last year, setting a four-year high. This growth is a testament to the airport's resilience and strategic efforts to rebound from the impacts of recent global travel disruptions.
Since the commencement of the summer-autumn aviation season, Beijing Capital International Airport has been diligently restoring multiple international routes. Notable additions include destinations like Havana, Riyadh, São Paulo, and Seattle, bringing the total to eight new international points. The increased connectivity is not limited to these destinations alone. Weekly flights to major European cities such as Frankfurt, Paris, London, and Munich have exceeded 20 round trips, while Asian cities like Seoul, Tokyo, Singapore, and Bangkok see over 50 round trips weekly.
Tailored Services for International Travelers
In an effort to streamline the travel experience for international visitors, Beijing Capital International Airport has implemented several traveler-friendly measures. Multi-language signage guides passengers through the airport seamlessly, and bilingual announcements ensure important information is accessible to all. The airport's customer service hotline offers assistance in English, French, German, Japanese, and Korean, among other languages.
To further facilitate convenience, approximately 250 key vendors within the terminal have equipped their outlets with POS machines that accept foreign cards. This allows international travelers to make direct payments using their home country bank cards. Additionally, the banks and stores within the terminal are well-stocked with change, ensuring smooth cash transactions for all.
Enhancements at Daxing International Airport
Not to be outdone, Beijing Daxing International Airport has also ramped up its efforts to accommodate the influx of travelers during the summer rush. Daxing is expected to handle over 56,000 inbound and outbound flights, serving more than 8.8 million passengers.
A notable feature at Daxing Airport is the dedicated 144-hour temporary entry permit application area, where staff assist travelers with visa-free transit procedures. On July 15, Daxing further enhanced its service by launching electronic boarding passes for international and regional flights, starting with British Airways and Hong Kong Airlines. This move significantly improves the efficiency and convenience of the boarding process for international travelers.
In addition, Daxing Airport ensures ease of payment for international visitors. POS machines are available at counters for airport buses, the metro, intercity railways, and parking garages, allowing foreign cardholders to make direct payments effortlessly.
Travelers' Testimonials
International travelers have praised the seamless payment systems and overall convenience offered at Beijing's airports. A German tourist remarked on the simplicity of using a single app for all transactions in China, highlighting the ease of purchasing goods and services. A Danish visitor shared similar sentiments, appreciating the efficiency of online payments via barcodes and QR codes, which make the process quick and hassle-free.
These testimonials underscore the success of the airports' efforts to enhance the travel experience, making Beijing a more accessible and traveler-friendly destination for international visitors.
Conclusion
Beijing's airports are setting new standards for accommodating international travelers. With record-breaking passenger numbers and a host of new services designed to ease the travel experience, both Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport are poised to become global hubs of connectivity. The commitment to enhancing multilingual support, expanding payment options, and simplifying entry processes reflects China's dedication to welcoming the world with open arms. As the summer travel season continues, these initiatives ensure that travelers from all corners of the globe can enjoy a seamless and pleasant journey through Beijing's skies.
Hopefully I am going to go there in September!