British Airways becomes one of the first six carriers to move to the new Terminal 3 at Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA) on February 29, 2008. The other 20 international and domestic airlines will follow as the second stage of relocation will commence on March 26.

With a floor space of one million square metres, the Terminal 3 expansion project will also include a third runway. Once the expansion is fully operational, BCIA will be able to handle 82 million passengers a year. It can also handle 1,700 flights per day.

"British Airways is thrilled to be moving to this phenomenal terminal. Its enormous space and state-of-the-art facilities will enable us to offer our customers unparalleled standards of comfort and convenience," said Thorley.

Thorley added that British Airways will use Boeing 747 to service its Beijing and London route effective March 30, 2008. British Airways will move flights from Beijing and Shanghai to London Heathrow's exclusive new home in Terminal 5 from April 30, 2008.

Photograph: Sara Janine Thorley, Manager, British Airways China, welcoming passengers at the airline's check-in counter in the newly opened Terminal 3 at Beijing Capital International Airport.