Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA) is moving its cargo inspection, customs and quarantine operations to the 5.9sqkm Beijing Tianzhu Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in an important step in realising its plan of becoming an integrated cargo hub for North East Asia.

The airport's cargo inspection and examination authority and customs and entry-exit inspection and quarantine bureau relocate from their current base at the west of the airport to the FTZ Operational Center and begin operations on December 20.

Developed and run by real estate company Airport City Development (ACL), the Tianzhu Free Trade Zone is part of Beijing Airport's planned 'three-in-one' platform to integrate an FTZ, an export processing zone and bonded warehousing space into one efficient space and make Beijing the leading cargo hub for North East Asia.

By Oliver Clark