Beijing Capital to revamp Terminal 3’s retail offerings
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Beijing Capital International Airport has appointed a UK based airport design consultancy to help it redevelop the commercial planning and design of the international departure lounge in Terminal 3.
The world’s biggest terminal building when it opened in 2008, Terminal 3 – known locally as the Dragon terminal – has arguably been an iconic symbol of the innovation and growth of the Chinese travel market.
The airport handled over 100 million passengers in 2019 with Terminal 3 playing a crucial part in handling the bulk of the gateway’s international traffic operated by foreign airlines.
However, the October 2019 opening of Beijing Daxing International Airport has created an opportunity for a bold re-configuration of the departure lounge area, and the airport is turning to The Design Solution to help it work out the best way to revamp the retail and F&B offerings in the facility.
The development project aims to drive a stronger commercial performance through a significant expansion of the commercial space in Terminal 3, from 11,264sqm to over 13,000sqm, and the creation of a radically updated retail experience for the terminal’s 10 million departing passengers each year.
In particular, the re-planning will address the fact that the central commercial areas are surrounded by shops but have very large central island units; the reconfiguration will create better retail positioning and enhance the passenger flow through the space, expanding exposure to the retail offer.
According to The Design Solution, the project plan will integrate a unique interior design with innovative technology building on the current two ‘historic’ gardens and fountain while creating a distinct Sense of Place through sharing the culture and spirit of China, old and new.
The holistic design will integrate a series of environmental elements and communicate an authentic expression of the human history and dynamic spirit of the extraordinary capital city.
Beijing Capital’s assistant manager of market development, Mdm Li, said: “As traffic continues on its long-term growth pattern it is crucial that we ensure we continue to innovate and provide our passengers with a premium quality airport experience, as demonstrated by our recent repeated success in the ACI ASQ awards.
“This extensive re-configuration and re-design expresses our commitment to the passenger experience in Retail and F&B and will drive significant new revenue opportunities for the airport including our retail partners, China Duty Free Group.”
Robbie Gill, managing director, The Design Solution, noted: “Designed by Naco, Arup and Foster+Partners, Terminal 3 at Beijing Capital Airport is one of the most iconic terminals in the world and it is a great honour to be selected to re-imagine, re-plan and re-design this soaring space.
“The commercial areas were originally planned nearly 20 years ago and, in that time, the world of airport retailing has moved forward dramatically.
“In particular, the importance of luxury brands, particularly in China, has become ever more important at the heart of the retail experience. Eating and drinking has also become a much bigger imperative for the region’s travellers.
“The airport wants to take the opportunity of the reduced traffic passing through the airside space – due to the migration of passengers to Daxing – to transform the terminal experience ready for further growth in the future.
“We will be creating a new powerful vision and transform the space to maintain BCIA’s pioneering position among the world’s leading airport experiences.”