Capital Airport boosts Olympic precautions

The airport operation team serving next year's Winter Olympic and Winter Paralympic Games in Beijing has carried out intensified epidemic control measures to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks, its leader said on Wednesday.

Sun Jianying, executive deputy director of the organizing committee's airport operation team, told a news conference it will continue to improve services and epidemic control plans.

With 86 days to go before the 2022 Winter Olympics open, Sun said Beijing Capital International Airport will be the only official port for participants entering and leaving China.

All entries will be handled at Zone D in Terminal 3, and all departures will be handled at zones C and E in Terminal 3. Closed management will be carried out in those areas, he said.

Airport and airline employees who work in the areas as well as those who have direct contact with imported cargo will carry out stricter epidemic control measures.

A service capability evaluation regarding entries and departures has been carried out to arrange more reasonable time slots.

The airport will add more stations for nucleic acid tests and speed up customs processing. It aims to arrange passengers, logistics and vehicles in an orderly fashion to ensure safe and smooth arrivals and departures, Sun said.

The airport operation team, established in April, has drawn up plans, backup plans and emergency response plans with the aim of offering safe and smooth service.

The team, guided by the Beijing municipal government, the Civil Aviation Administration of China and the organizing committee, is improving working mechanisms and capabilities to offer better service, Sun said, adding that the team has implemented tasks smoothly.

It has received officials from the International Olympic Committee who visited Games venues and athletes who competed in test events, and has ensured the smooth transportation of the Olympic flame.

From Oct 3 to Tuesday, the team offered services to 85 flights related to the Games, including passenger and cargo flights. It handled 2,380 passenger trips and 4,894 pieces of luggage.

The Winter Olympics will take place between Feb 4 and 20, followed by the Winter Paralympics from March 4 to 13.

The Chinese capital is set to become the first city to host both the summer and winter editions of the Olympic Games.