Etihad Airways has commenced flights between Abu Dhabi and Beijing Daxing International Airport.
Its inaugural flight EY888, operated using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, marked the airline’s shift from Beijing Capital International Airport to the city's biggest hub.
This year also marks the 15th anniversary of Etihad's services to China, as well as its Abu Dhabi-Beijing route.
“With China’s reopening and the restart of the aviation and tourism industries, we are very glad to see the long overdue move of our scheduled services to Beijing Daxing International Airport, which will further strengthen our commitment to the country’s aviation market development and Chinese travellers,” says Arik De, Etihad's chief revenue officer.
“The integrated transportation facilities at Beijing Daxing International Airport will give Etihad Airways access to a huge catchment area around Beijing West Rail Station. We will be working closely with local partners to transfer Etihad’s rich experience in Europe, working with intermodal rail service operators, to Daxing, to allow greater choice at a competitive fare on a single connecting ticket through air-rail modality.”
Beijing Daxing International Airport is located 46km south of Beijing city centre and has ambitious plans to handle 100 million passengers and four million tonnes of cargo annually.
The starfish-shaped airport was designed by the late Zaha Hadid and began operations in 2019. It consists of five connected concourses, making it the world's largest single-building airport.
The 700,000-square-metre passenger terminal includes an 80,000-square-metre ground transportation centre offering direct connections to Beijing, while the airport itself has four runways.
"Etihad Airways is one of the first airlines in the Middle East to move to Beijing Daxing International Airport, and we congratulate them on this successful inaugural flight,” says Wang Yaqi, general manager of aviation business at the airport.
Etihad resumed flights from Abu Dhabi to Beijing in June, becoming the first international airline to recommence regular direct flights to the city after it reopened to tourists following strict Covid-19 lockdowns.
Six of the coolest airports: from Orlando’s new terminal to Beijing's star-fish hub — in pictures
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Orlando International Airport's new Terminal C has opened with interactive artwork and nature-inspired visuals. Photo: Gentelhomme -
The new terminal is home to the largest in-airport interactive digital art exhibits. Photo: Gentelhomme -
The sun's rays beam through skylight windows at the newly opened Terminal C at Orlando International Airport. AP -
Check-in kiosks and a robotic baggage system speed up processes at the new Florida hub. AP -
Artificial palm trees line at Orlando International Airport. AP -
Singapore's Changi International Airport is consistently ranked among the world's best. Photo: Changi Airport Group -
A tropical walkway at Singapore's Changi. Photo: Changi Airport Group -
The Rain Vortex indoor waterfall feature at Jewel Changi Airport. Photo: Lauryn Ishak / Bloomberg -
Travellers in Singapore can visit the Jewel at Changi Airport. AFP -
Travellers enjoy bouncing on nets at Changi Airport. Photo: Changi Airport Group -
The enormous plant display inside Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore. Reuters -
Ecuador's Seymour Airport is the world's most ecological. AFP -
Wind turbines power the airport on the island of Baltra. AFP -
An iguana scurries across the landing strip. AFP -
A giant falcon sculpture by Dutch artist Tom Claassen sits outside Doha's Hamad International Airport. AFP -
Qatar's main airport is gearing up for big changes ahead of the World Cup 2022. AFP -
Travellers at Hamad International Airport can access this 25-metre swimming pool with runway views. Photo: Oryx Airport Hotel -
Bronze sculptures at Hamad International Airport. Photo: Unsplash -
Hamad International Airport in Doha. Photo: Unsplash -
The starfish-shaped Beijing Daxing International Airport in China. AFP -
Inside the airport is a yoga room, a futuristic children’s playground and a spa. Photo: Hufton+Crow -
Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid's love of curves is visible throughout the Beijing Daxing International Airport. Photo: Hufton+Crow -
The Chinese Garden at the airport. Photo: China Southern / Twitter -
A terminal hall inside Beijing Daxing International Airport. Reuters -
Helsinki Airport in Finland. AFP -
Relax and unwind at Aukio at Helsinki Airport. Photo: Helsinki Airport / Finavia -
Public art includes a host of fascinating sculptures. Photo: Helsinki Airport / Finavia -
Art on a wall at Helsinki Airport. Photo: Helsinki Airport / Finavia -
Children and adults can use the Maja Living Room. Photo: Helsinki Airport / Finavia
