Beijing Daxing International Airport

Beijing Daxing Airport is Finally Open

Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX), also known as Beijing New Airport, is the newest aviation hub of the Chinese capital and home to the second largest single-building terminal in the world. Officially opened on September 26, 2019, it quickly became a multi-awarded architectural landmark and a major international gateway. Following its inauguration, the nearby Beijing Nanyuan Airport closed, leaving the capital with two major international airports: Beijing Capital (PEK) and Beijing Daxing (PKX).

A State-of-the-Art Design

The futuristic design of Daxing Airport was created by the world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid. The spectacular terminal spans 700,000m² (7.5 million sq ft), featuring an innovative starfish-shaped layout that reduces walking distances for passengers. With 82 boarding gates, 4 runways (plus 1 military runway), and cutting-edge passenger facilities, it is considered one of the most advanced airports globally.

Location and Accessibility

Beijing Daxing Airport sits on the border of Beijing’s Daxing District and Langfang City, Hebei Province, making it a strategic hub for Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei. The airport’s location was carefully chosen after extensive studies, ensuring maximum accessibility for northern China’s densely populated areas.

46 km (28.5 mi) from Tiananmen Square (Beijing city center)
67 km (41.6 mi) from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
26 km (16.1 mi) from Langfang City Center

Passenger Flow and Future Prospects

Since its opening, Beijing Daxing has rapidly grown into one of Asia’s busiest aviation hubs. In 2023, it served more than 39.4 million passengers. Designed with scalability in mind, the airport is projected to handle an outstanding 100 million passengers annually in the future, making it one of the busiest airports worldwide.

Explore More

On this website, you’ll find everything you need to plan your journey via Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX):

Up-to-date Flights (Arrivals, Departures, and Airlines)
Airport Facilities and Passenger Services
Essential Traveler Information
Detailed Transportation Guides for reaching Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei

Beijing Daxing Airport’s Layout

Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) is home to the second largest single-terminal building in the world. Its innovative design, created by Zaha Hadid, resembles a giant starfish, with five concourses (or “tentacles”) radiating from the central hub. Each concourse extends up to 1 km in length, ensuring efficient passenger flow while minimizing walking distances.

One of the terminal’s most striking features is the abundant use of natural light. The design incorporates vast skylights and open spaces, creating a bright, modern, and calming environment for travelers. Moreover, to further enhance passenger convenience, PKX houses the longest moving walkways in China, allowing quick and effortless transfers between its extensive concourses.

Services and Amenities at Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX)

Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) has been designed to provide a seamless and enjoyable travel experience. The terminal is equipped with an extensive range of facilities and passenger-friendly services, ensuring convenience, comfort, and entertainment for everyone.

Food & Beverages – Numerous cafes, restaurants, and bars offering international and local cuisine.
Shopping – A wide variety of retail outlets, including duty-free shops with premium brands.
Luggage Services – Baggage carts, luggage wrapping, and secure storage options available throughout the terminal.
Passenger Assistance – Meet & Greet services, information kiosks, and Lost & Found counters.
Healthcare – Pharmacies and medical services, including five first aid rooms and a dedicated first aid station.
Financial Services – Banks, ATMs, and currency exchange areas.
Family-Friendly Facilities – Baby care rooms and children’s play areas.
Comfort & Leisure – Lounges, spa facilities, and cultural exhibitions.
Connectivity – Free Wi-Fi, multiple charging stations, and postal office services.
Other Amenities – Smoking areas, transit hotels for layovers, and tailored services for passengers with reduced mobility.

With its blend of modern facilities, cultural highlights, and passenger-focused services, PKX Airport ensures travelers enjoy a smooth and pleasant journey from arrival to departure.

The City of Beijing

Beijing, China’s capital, is a vibrant blend of history and modernity. The city is home to iconic landmarks such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and the Temple of Heaven, showcasing its rich cultural and architectural heritage. At the same time, Beijing embraces modern life with innovative skyscrapers, world-class hotels, and a dynamic urban lifestyle.

For food lovers, Beijing is a culinary paradise, offering specialties like the famous Peking duck, freshly made dumplings, and savory Beijing noodles. Beyond history and gastronomy, the city boasts a thriving cultural scene, including theaters, music venues, trendy bars, and nightclubs. Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, or a modern traveler, Beijing guarantees unforgettable experiences for everyone.

About the airport

Airlines at Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX)

Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) serves as a major hub for both domestic and international flights. The airport is primarily a SkyTeam Alliance hub, though some Oneworld airlines also operate from here. Meanwhile, Hainan Airlines and most Star Alliance carriers continue to base their operations at Beijing Capital Airport (PEK). Currently, PKX Airport acts as a hub for the following airlines:

Air China
Beijing Capital Airlines
China Eastern Airlines
China Southern Airlines
China United Airlines
Xiamen Airlines

In addition, PKX is also a focus city for Hebei Airlines, strengthening its role as a key aviation hub for the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region.

Parking Facilities at Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX)

Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) offers multiple parking solutions to meet the needs of all passengers. Whether you need short-term or long-term parking, the airport provides modern, safe, and well-equipped facilities.

P1 & P2 Car Parks – Designed for short-term parking, ideal for drop-offs, pick-ups, or stays under 8 hours.
P3 Car Park – The long-stay parking lot, suitable for travelers leaving their vehicles for more than 8 hours.

All parking areas feature dedicated spaces for passengers with reduced mobility as well as family-friendly spots close to the terminals. In addition, Beijing Daxing Airport provides a range of extra services and amenities, including:

Electric vehicle charging stations
AGV automatic parking robots for seamless parking
Tire inflation and other vehicle assistance services

Thanks to these modern facilities, parking at PKX Airport is not only convenient but also designed to enhance the overall passenger experience.

Transit Options from Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX)

Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) is located approximately 46km (28.5 miles) from Beijing city center and offers a wide range of convenient transfer options for travelers heading to the capital or nearby regions.

Airport Taxis – Available 24/7 outside the Arrivals area, offering direct rides to Beijing with regulated fares.
Airport Car Rentals – Multiple international and local agencies operate at PKX, providing vehicles of all categories for independent travel.
Private Airport Transfers – Pre-booked door-to-door services with professional drivers, ideal for comfort and time efficiency.
Buses & Coaches – Several shuttle and coach lines connect PKX with different districts of Beijing and nearby cities.
High-Speed Train – The dedicated train line from PKX to Beijing West Railway Station reduces travel time to around 20 minutes.
Subway Journeys – Metro Line 19 connects the airport with Beijing’s extensive subway network, providing a budget-friendly option for travelers.

With these diverse transit options, passengers can easily find the best balance between comfort, cost, and travel time when heading from PKX Airport to Beijing or other destinations.

FAQs

How Big is Daxing Airport?

Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX), often called the “Starfish” thanks to its unique shape, is one of the largest and most innovative airports in the world. The terminal building alone covers an impressive 700,000m² (7.5 million sq ft), making it the second-largest single-terminal airport globally. Currently, Daxing Airport operates with 4 runways (plus 1 military runway), with plans to expand to 7 runways in the future. In addition, the Ground Transportation Center spans another 80,000m², ensuring seamless connections between air, rail, and road transport. Designed by the world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid, the vast terminal’s layout ensures maximum natural light, short walking distances, and efficient passenger flow, allowing it to handle up to 100 million passengers annually in the future.

How Much Did Daxing Airport Cost?

The construction of Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) was one of the most ambitious aviation projects ever undertaken. Designed to eventually become the busiest airport in the world, the project came with an equally massive price tag.

The Chinese government invested an estimated US $17.47 billion into building this state-of-the-art hub, covering the futuristic starfish-shaped terminal, multiple runways, the ground transportation center, and all related infrastructure.

This colossal investment reflects not only China’s growing role in global aviation but also its commitment to creating a modern gateway capable of handling 100 million passengers annually in the near future.

Is Beijing Daxing Airport the Biggest in the World?

The title of the world’s biggest airport is often debated, especially between the two most recent mega-projects: Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) and Istanbul Airport (IST). Both represent record-breaking infrastructure, but in different ways.

Beijing Daxing Airport currently holds the record for the largest single-terminal building in the world, covering an impressive 700,000m². Its unique starfish-shaped design and capacity of up to 100 million passengers annually make it one of the most ambitious aviation hubs ever built.

Istanbul Airport, on the other hand, is still under phased development. Once fully completed, it is projected to become the biggest airport in the world by passenger traffic, with the ability to handle more than 200 million travelers per year.

In conclusion, Beijing Daxing Airport is the largest in terms of terminal size, while Istanbul is expected to claim the global top spot in terms of overall passenger capacity.

Who Designed Daxing Airport?

The spectacular Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) terminal is the result of a world-class architectural collaboration. The design was initially developed by ADP Ingeniérie (ADPI) together with the renowned architecture firm Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA). Zaha Hadid herself, one of the most iconic architects of our time, sadly passed away in 2016, before the project’s completion.

Later, in August 2018, the Hong Kong-based design studio Lead 8 took over the development of the commercial terminal areas, focusing on creating spaces tailored to meet every passenger’s needs and enhancing the travel experience with modern amenities.

The result is a futuristic, starfish-shaped terminal that blends functionality, efficiency, and aesthetics, making Daxing Airport one of the most architecturally iconic airports in the world.

Daxing Airport Master Plan

The Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) master plan was entrusted to NACO (Netherlands Airport Consultants), a globally recognized expert in airport planning and design. The project was developed with a strong focus on passenger convenience and environmental sustainability, ensuring the airport meets both current and future demands.

One of the key features of the master plan is the efficient passenger flow. With less than 600 meters between security checkpoints and boarding gates, and minimal waiting times for baggage claim, Daxing Airport is designed to simplify and accelerate passenger procedures.

Additionally, the master plan emphasizes seamless ground transportation. PKX is directly connected to high-speed trains, intercity rail lines, metro services, and public buses, allowing quick and convenient access to downtown Beijing as well as other major cities in the region. This integrated transport system ensures the airport serves as a major hub for both air and land connectivity.

Overall, NACO’s master plan for Daxing Airport successfully combines cutting-edge design, passenger-friendly infrastructure, and sustainable solutions, making it one of the most advanced airports in the world.

Which Airlines Fly to Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX)?

Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) welcomes a wide range of domestic and international airlines, making it one of the most important aviation hubs in China. The airport primarily serves as a hub for major Chinese carriers and SkyTeam Alliance members, while also attracting selected Oneworld partners. Most Star Alliance airlines continue to operate at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK).

PKX Hub Airlines

Air China
Beijing Capital Airlines
China Eastern Airlines
China Southern Airlines
China United Airlines
Xiamen Airlines

Focus City Carrier

Hebei Airlines

Alliance Presence at PKX

SkyTeam Alliance: PKX is a major hub for SkyTeam members, including China Eastern and China Southern.
Oneworld Alliance: Selected Oneworld airlines also operate flights to and from Daxing Airport.
Star Alliance: Most Star Alliance members still use Beijing Capital (PEK) as their main hub, though future expansions may increase their PKX presence.

Thanks to this wide selection of airlines, Beijing Daxing Airport offers extensive connectivity across China, Asia, Europe, North America, and beyond.

How Many Runways Does Beijing Daxing Airport Have?

At present, Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) operates with 4 runways and 79 aircraft stands. Each runway is built to handle the world’s largest commercial aircraft, while the stands can accommodate either one twin-aisle aircraft or two single-aisle planes.

In the future, the airport’s expansion plan foresees a total of 7 runways, allowing PKX to manage an estimated 620,000 flights annually. This ambitious development will reinforce Daxing’s role as one of the busiest and most advanced aviation hubs worldwide.

Transportation Options from Beijing Daxing Airport

The Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) transportation network is designed to be both efficient and affordable, offering travelers multiple ways to reach Beijing and nearby cities:

High-Speed Trains: The Beijing–Xiong’an Intercity Railway links Daxing Airport directly with Beijing city center, while another intercity line provides fast connections to Tianjin.
Subway: The Daxing Airport Express Line (subway) connects PKX to downtown Beijing in just 22 minutes.
Buses & Coaches: Multiple bus routes serve the airport, reaching various districts of Beijing and several intercity destinations.
Airport Taxis: Available 24/7 outside the terminal, providing direct and reliable transfers to any destination.
Private Transfers: Premium, door-to-door transfer services with professional drivers for a luxury experience.
Car Rentals: A wide range of rental vehicles is available at PKX for travelers seeking independence and flexibility.

With this extensive transport system, passengers can easily travel between Daxing Airport, Beijing city center, and other key destinations in Northern China.