thyssenkrupp enables mobility at China Southern Airlines’ new Beijing airport base

China Southern Airlines has moved to a ‘two-hub’ strategy that, alongside its current Guangzhou base, will see it expand to Beijing Daxing Airport, which is currently under construction. The new mega airport in the south of Beijing represents an expanded vision of urban mobility – not within cities, but between them. As the sole elevator supplier to China Southern Airlines’ new Beijing airport base, thyssenkrupp Elevator will support this vision and deliver 155 elevators and 22 escalators.

China Southern Airlines belongs to one of China’s biggest air carriers. In 2018, the state-owned company flew 4.42 million passengers from its present base in Guangzhou – an 8.6% increase compared to 2017. This included nearly 1 million international transit passengers. The new airport will support 45 million passengers in the first phase, before increasing to ultimately become the largest airport worldwide by passenger numbers. Together with China Eastern Airlines, the company will be responsible for roughly 40% of the new airport’s traffic flow and will initially base 200 aircraft at the site.

“We are proud to be among the preferred suppliers for this mega project. China Southern Airlines is one of the most important players in China’s airline industry, and it is critical to deliver market-leading premium mobility solutions that enable the airline to keep its promise to customers” said Peter Walker, CEO of thyssenkrupp Elevator.

The plans for the spectacular airport facilities were designed by star architect Sir Norman Foster, while the hexagonal main terminal was designed by the renowned Zara Hadid Architects. At approx. 7.5 million sq. feet, it will be the largest terminal in the world. From the fifth-floor visitors will have a bird’s eye view that reaches beyond the security gates, meaning travelers can wave goodbye to their loved ones, even after they have passed through security.

The 62-hectare development is China Southern Airlines’ biggest investment to-date. Beyond the colossal terminal, Daxing Airport will also boast the largest air traffic control centre, aircraft hangar, and airline catering centre in Asia.

A project of this scale demands reliable, efficient and comfortable mobility across the complex. With 177 elevator and escalator units, thyssenkrupp Elevator will ensure this. Despite the tremendous scale of the main terminal, it will take less than eight minutes to travel from security to the furthest gates. Across the globe, thyssenkrupp Elevator is supporting similarly flawless airport experiences at major international hubs including Istanbul Grand Airport, Hamad International Airport in Dubai, and Heathrow Airport in London.