Beijing's new Daxing Airport has finally opened its doors, and runways, to the world. The new airport was inaugurated earlier today by a China Southern Airbus A380 flying to Guangzhou.

Over the past year, we've been keeping a steady eye on developments relating to the new Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX). The airport hosted its first trial flights earlier this year as part of its certification process. Now, the airport is open to airlines and passengers. As a result an older airport, Beijing Nanyuan, will close.

Huge aspirations

It is unclear what Beijing Daxing's opening day passenger numbers were at this time. However, it was likely lower than the number of passengers carried through Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) on the other side of the city. Daxing intends to compliment Capital Airpor rather than replace it. As congestion is present at Beijing Capital Airport, the brand new mega airport will surely come as a relief to both passengers and airlines alike.

Daxing was opened with four runways earlier today. Hopefully, with its robust testing and a steady increase in traffic, Daxing will avoid any teething troubles. By 2021 the airport will handle 45 million passengers per year. This will increase to 75 million by 2025.

Launched with seven carriers

According to AIN Online, the new airport was launched with seven Chinese carriers flying to and from the airport today. It appears that the day was split into two. In the morning the airport was handed its operating license. This process was overseen by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In the afternoon, the airlines began operating their inaugural Daxing flights. Reports suggest that China Southern was given the honors of operating the first Beijing Daxing service. This saw an Airbus A380 flying to Guangzhou.

Additionally, China Eastern operated an Airbus A350-900 flight to Shanghai, while Air China flew a Boeing 747-8 to Chengdu. China United Airlines, Hebei Airlines, Xiamen Airlines, and Beijing Capital Airlines all also operated flights, with China United Airlines previously being touted as the airport's launch operator.

What now?

Now that Beijing Daxing has opened, China United Airlines will ferry its fleet across to the new airport from Beijing's Nanyuan Airport. This airport will then close down, as it is being replaced by Daxing Airport. Other airlines will then slowly move their operations across to the new airport should they wish. To name a few airlines that have already committed, British Airways will switch to Daxing on the 27th of October, while LOT Polish Airlines will join the British flag carrier a day later.

Would you like to fly to Beijing's new Daxing Airport? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!