Beijing welcomes first inbound flights after new border policy

Flight CX344 from Hong Kong to Beijing with 291 passengers on board arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport at around 10:40 a.m., marking the first cross-border flight landing in Beijing Capital International Airport on Sunday, the first day on which China downgraded its COVID-19 management measures from Class A to Class B.

Mr. Qian, a passenger who had just arrived at the airport, shared his feelings with the CNS reporter: "It all went well. I used to go through all kinds of formalities and scan codes, and I felt pleased to see the border reopening." 

"I received COVID-19 testing before entering the border, and then made a customs declaration," said Wu, "Before, quarantine was needed for more than ten days, but now it's much more convenient. I can spend the Spring Festival with my family."

There were 10 cross-border flights arriving at Beijing Capital International Airport on Sunday, including inbound flights from Warsaw and Frankfurt. The previously closed loop area has been removed. Inbound travelers won't receive COVID-19 testing at the airport or get transferred to hotels for quarantine.

For inbound passengers, it generally takes them two to three minutes to pass through each entry section such as at the customs, epidemiological investigation and border inspection. "At the arrival hall of the Capital Airport T3-E, we set 12 manual inspection channels and a waiting area.

All passengers will wait no more than 30 minutes for the inspection," said Zhang Weitao, an airport officer, "We will provide special channels for the old, vulnerable, ill, and disabled, as well as faster customs clearance service."