Airport traffic in Beijing will peak with the arrival of foreign dignitaries next week for the Olympics, but mainland aviation authorities say they are ready for the security challenges.
According to Yang Guoqing , deputy director of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), Thursday will see the most flights. The number will be close to the upper limit for Beijing Capital International Airport.
The CAAC estimates the number of flights that day will reach 1,500, up 20 per cent from normal levels. The passenger numbers will hit 260,000, up 25 per cent on the daily average.
'We have adopted a slew of measures to improve aviation safety and have prepared security contingency plans. I am confident we will be able to meet the demands for the Olympics,' Mr Yang said.
Airport traffic will surge this weekend and increase further between Wednesday and August 11 with the arrival of foreign dignitaries, including more than 80 world leaders as well as athletes and visitors.
More than 180 private or chartered aircraft are expected to arrive on Thursday, the CAAC said.
'The challenge is unprecedented in the history of China's civil aviation,' Mr Yang said.