The expansion project of Beijing Capital International Airport was launched Sunday morning as part of the city's preparations for the 2008 Olympic Games.

A key state project listed by the State Council, or the cabinet, the enlarged airport will be able to accommodate 60 million passengers and 1.8 million tons a year.

Currently, the airport has two runways and two terminal buildings with a combined annual handling capacity of 35 million passengers. An official forecast showed the peak monthly passenger arrival at the airport is to hit 5.56 million during the 2008 Olympic Games, which is equivalent to the normal transport volume predicted for 2015.

The expansion project includes construction of a new runway, a new terminal building, a cargo zone and some auxiliary projects. It will cost a total of 19.45 billion yuan (US$2.3 billion) and be completed by 2007.

An international consortium composed of Naco of the Netherlands and Foster of Britain won the bid to build the new terminal building.

(Xinhua News Agency March 29, 2004)