2011 Jan 25 Chinese airport delays - Now worse than India!
Beijing Capital Airport has taken a bit of an international beating since Forbes magazine and the Beijinger last year released some damning statistics about the airport’s abysmal flight punctuality. Yet, this problem seems to be nationwide, and still decending into chaos. With Spring Festival soon approaching, we can expect more delays at the airport.
According to the Global Times, in 2010 punctuality on the mainland was 75.43% down on 81.89% in 2009 and 82% in 2008. China has actually now become more tardy than India which has an overall punctuality rate of 82.7% in smaller, and allegedly less efficient airports.
Although, we must acknowledge that cities such as Beijing have seen an extraordinary rise in domestic and international travel through its airport since the Olympics, the multi-billion dollar leviathan that is Terminal 3 was designed specifically to cope with the increase and improve flight punctuality. In fact, the opening of Terminal 3 just before the Olympics has if anything, led to flight’s arriving and leaving later than ever. Last year the Beijinger posted an article claiming Beijing Capital Airport to be the worst performing international airport in the world.
These figures are unwelcome news for the Civil Aviation Authority of China, especially since Chunyun has officially begun and that there has been no discernable improvement in the past year. What’s worse for Beijing is that not even the powers-that-be have indicated an 'improvement' in Beijing’s tardiness, a point made more alarming by the fact that there has been no snow to delay airplanes this year!
If you are getting out of dodge this week, remember to pack your patience!
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Family Feud: Memories of an Explosive Spring Festival
Spring Festival is a time for family and blowing shit up, but since I grew up in Virginia without extended family or illegal fireworks, Chinese New Year got lost between the fanfare of Christmas and the narcissistic revelry of my birthday. Kowtowing to my parents for a red envelope became a formality – like a lapsed Catholic going to Christmas mass – before it was stopped altogether. I left China at the age of four, which means I must have celebrated Spring Festival when I was very young. I have no memories of it, though. So when I came back to China in late 2007, I was excited to celebrate Spring Festival the right way – with family and explosions.
Time For Temple: Chinese New Year's Fairs
One of the best parts about staying in Beijing over Chinese New Year is the chance to attend the temple fairs. Food stalls serve up goodies from chuan’r to cotton candy, while carnival games let you shoot, throw or guess your way to a bundle of cuddly stuffed animals. This year, expect plenty of dragon paraphernalia as well. All you have to do is pick which ones to go to and work on your pitching arm in the meantime.
Fireworks Banned from the CBD
The CBD may have a quiet Spring Festival now that fireworks have been banned from the area. After six years without any restrictions, during which there was a steady rise in fire and injury (like this memorable one), the ban is back.
Chun Yun Travails
The Spring Festival move has started. Chun Yun is the world’s largest yearly human migration and it is expected that half of China’s population will travel over the next few weeks. With up to 700 million people traveling trying to get home is no small feat and people have found lots of ways to avoid train travel, which - from the looks of it - does not bode well for a relaxing holiday.
China readies itself for travel mayhem
On January 19th, China will officially begin the Spring Festival travel season, kicking off the mass exodus to and from cities all over China. Cue the long lines, delayed trains and planes, and mayhem at the ticket booths.
omarmugesan
Re: Chinese airport delays - Now worse than India!
I've singlehandedly set the new record in Shanghai-Beijing commuting last week. It took me exactly 12hours and 35 minutes from the expected time of departure from Shanghai to the actual arriving time in Beijing!
Now that's what i call a delay!
I am super happy when i leave Beijing with only 30minutes delay. That's already so amazing, considering the delays i've experienced in the last 6 months in SH-BJ commuting.
I estimate my delays to be averaging at 1.5 hours in generaly.
nick.inatey
Re: Chinese airport delays - Now worse than India!
Wowie! Congratulations. Someone is wanting to apologise to you, but they are delayed, are you prepared to wait? Did they give a reason for the delay? Its just downright rude when they dont.
My favourite, is because an inconsiderate poo is late to board.