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China's Top Airlines to Relocate in New Beijing Airport

| Aug 03, 2016 11:48 PM EDT

Beijing Capital International Airport is currently experiencing slot shortage.

China Eastern and China Southern Airlines, two of the country's premiere airlines, are set to be relocated in a new Beijing airport, Guanming Online reported.

According to the article, this move will be helpful in decreasing airfares for international passengers.

The decision also eyes to improve the services being provided by Air China, the country's national carrier. This airline will remain at the Beijing Capital International Airport.

Due to slot shortage, airlines at the said airport have found it hard to launch new routes and add flight schedules.

"Beijing Capital International Airport is overly saturated. The relocation of China Eastern and China Southern Airlines to the new airport will provide them with significant growth potential," Li Xiaojin, a professor at the Civil Aviation University of China, said.

Star Alliance partners such as Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines and Japanese airline ANA will also stay.

The new international airport in the Chinese capital is expected to begin its operation in two years' time, a statement from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) noted.

The two airlines will move to the airport along with other carriers including KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Korean Air, Air France and other SkyTeam Alliance members.

The new airport will be located in southeastern Beijing's Daxing district. The ultra-large hub will cater to passengers traveling to and fro Beijing and its nearby regions such as Tianjin and Hebei.

Li revealed that since the location will be around 50 kilometers from the city's downtown area, it is more likely that airlines will give more economical airfares in order to lure passengers.

The professor added that passengers will find it convenient to use the new airport since more and more enterprises and government offices are moving in southern Beijing.

CAAC noted that China Eastern and China Southern will be offered "favorable policy support on flights and routes, as well as ground services," the article wrote.

The two airlines will be permitted to construct their own facilities at the new airport. The companies will serve as the airport's main carriers, with an approximate 40 percent share in its yearly passenger volume.

Both airlines will be given a transition period of four years.

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