First carrier readies for transfer to new airport

China United Airlines, a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Eastern Airlines, announced on Friday it will transfer operations to Beijing Daxing International Airport ahead of the airport's official opening, which is expected to be no later than Sept 30.

The move will make China United Airlines the first to fully move into the new airport from its old headquarters at Beijing Nanyuan Airport, and thus the first carrier to fly its aircraft at the new airport.

"Though the exact date of the new airport's opening is still not disclosed, we have been poised for the transfer to Beijing Daxing International Airport," said Liu Beige, vice-president of China United Airlines, at a news conference in Beijing on Friday.