The number of passengers who will take to the skies is also expected to reach a new record at Beijing Capital International Airport.

Reporter Liu Ying said, "I'm standing in the Terminal Two at Beijing's Capital International Airport. Today is the first day that the airport enters its Spring Festival peak travel season. It's estimated that nearly 150,000 trips will originate or end at the airport today. Airport management has increased its manpower to ensure smooth operation."

Around 6.4 million travelers are expected to start or finish their trips at Beijing's Capital International Airport during the 40-day Spring Festival peak season.

So far there hasn't been an obvious influx of passengers and long lines of passengers crowding the check-in counters have thankfully been avoided. That's partly due to the rows of self check-in machines that dilute the passenger load and speed up the check-in process.

Most passengers I talked to said it wasn't too hard getting airline tickets during the Spring Festival peak season, but they mostly cost full price.

A passenger said, "It's too difficult to buy a train ticket. Air tickets are comparatively easier to get."

Beside the large number of people returning home for family reunions, there are also passengers setting out on holidays. Flight delays are a concern for some frequent travelers.

A passenger said, "Flight delays are unavoidable. I am often faced with this situation."

Both the airport and airline companies have contingency plans to cope with possible large-scale delays due to bad weather.

Wang Jun, vice managing director of Air China's Operating Control Center, said, "We have worked out a three-level early-warning system as well as a coordination mechanism with both the airport and the air traffic control department."

Air China plans to add more than two thousand flights nationwide during the 40-day travel peak to meet the surging demand.

Beijing Capital International Airport predicts that February 4-5 will be its pre-festival peak for outbound trips, while February 11-12 the post-festival peak days for arrival. Both the airport and airlines will be under real strain.

Reporter Liu Ying also said, "That building over there is the new terminal building of Beijing's Capital International Airport. It's scheduled to be put into use at the end of February. With the new terminal, the airport's capacity will substantially expand. And passengers can expect much more comfortable travel experiences in the not-so-distant future."