Beijing to Close Airport for Three Hours on September 3

All air traffic in or out of Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA) will be suspended from 9.30am to 12.30pm on September 3, to facilitate military flyovers that are part of a planned parade for the 70th anniversary of the Allies' victory over Japan in World War II.

September 3 is the first day of a special, three-day holiday announced earlier this year. Travelers wanting to take advantage of the days off should get out of town the day before, or if possible, take the train.

The flyovers are similar to demonstrations of China's aerial military might last seen in Beijing during celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 2009, when fighter jets, bombers, attack helicopters, and refueling tankers flew over Tiananmen Square.

Although a new addition to the annual holiday calendar, the September 3-5 long weekend actually makes up for missing Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on Sunday, September 27. Although now normally a three-day weekend, Mid-Autumn Festival's proximity to the week-long October 1 holiday made time off there problematic for government planners – we couldn't have another day off, could we? So people will have to eat their mooncakes and go to bed early this year.

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