Free airport phone call, but keep it short

Passengers at Beijing Capital International Airport can make a free telephone call, provided it doesn't exceed three minutes, Beijing Youth Daily reported on Wednesday.

The airport installed more than 700 telephones in its three terminals that can be used for the short calls, the report said.

The service aims to providing convenience for air passengers who have just arrived in China and who do not usually have cellphone services set up in the country. A phone call can help friends or tour guides know when to pick them up, a manager for the airport said.

The service could also help some domestic passengers whose cellphone batteries have died, he said.