Another Beijing Superlative: World's Most Delayed Airport

On Monday, the Beijinger sent a rare solo message from our Twitter and Weibo accounts, advising Beijingers to call their airlines before traveling, as rain was causing massive cancellations and flight schedule adjustments at Beijing Capital International Airport. That was just the tip of the aeronautical iceberg. On Thursday, U.S. air travel information site FlightStats.com named BCIA the most delayed airport in the world, with only an 18.3 percent on-time departure rate.

Three factors have affected on-time performance out of Beijing: growing demand for air travel with shrinking slots for more flights; a high military to civilian air use ratio (80 to 20); and poor seasonal weather. All three factors are continuing in July, so prepare for more delays.

Ironically, the second-worst airport was Shanghai's Pudong Airport. Best was Tokyo's Haneda, with an over 95 percent on-time departure record. Wow.

A suggestion to all of our traveling readers: for domestic travel served by high-speed rail, there is no better time than the present. Beijing South Railway Station is accessible via the Beijing Metro, it's comfortable and fast, and you will most likely know exactly when you will arrive at your destination. Air travel during the spring and summer is too unpredictable for us. See you on the Beijing Express.