China is planning to build new airports and expand existing ones in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region to support the coordinated development of the area, according to a guideline released by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
Apart from the new airport in Beijing's Daxing District, cities in Hebei Province, including Xingtai, Cangzhou, Kangbao and Fengning will also build new airports. And the airports in Tangshan, Zhangjiakou and Handan will be renovated or expanded, according to the guideline.
The aviation authorities anticipate that when Beijing's new airport is launched in 2020, the proportion of the capital’s international visitors will increase by 2 to 3 percent. By 2030, major airports in the region will be connected with railways to establish an integrated world-class transportation network.
Within that network, Beijing will have two airports — the existing Beijing Capital International Airport and the new airport expected in be put into service in 2019.
Meanwhile, Tianjin will be built into an international air freight hub, while the Zhengding Airport in Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, will be reconstructed to handle regional flights.
The guideline said the regional transport network will be equipped with smart technology such as big data and ticket information sharing to let passengers take light-rail shuttles with easy transfer between airports and railway stations.
The region will offer 144-hour visa-free entries for international passengers, while air cargo will enjoy the 24/7 one-stop customs clearance, the guideline said.
To ensure regional connectivity, these airports will be linked with inter-city transport networks, including a railway service between Beijing's two airports, as well as railways and highways connecting Beijing with the Xiongan New Area and other key parts of the region.