Beijing Airport Terminal Three

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

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)