The massive Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) — which was earlier eyed to help decongest the existing Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and eventually become one of the world's busiest gateways — reportedly handled over 300,000 tonnes of freight over the past three years despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chinese state media said currently, 26 domestic airlines operate at the airport and it has opened a total of 266 air routes, connecting 185 destinations since it marked the third anniversary of the launch of the airport's operations in 2020.

In terms of cargo, the new airport, which spans 7.5 million square feet, equivalent to about 98 soccer fields and is often dubbed the "starfish" due to its appearance, is currently the world's largest terminal in a single building and is expected to initially handle 2 million tons of cargo annually by 2025 and 4 million tons of freight per year after that.

"Over the past three years, Daxing has handled 370,000 tonnes of cargo and mail," Xinhua said, adding that some 450,000 flights have departed or arrived at the airport during the period.

Currently, the airport has 24 cargo freighter stands, that can handle 2 million tonnes of goods annually.

Meanwhile, it added that the passenger throughput of Beijing Daxing International Airport has surpassed 52 million over the past three years.

Initially, Daxing Airport was anticipated to handle 45 million passengers by 2021, 72 million by 2025 and 100 million by 2040, with an initial capacity allowing 300 take-offs and landings per hour.