Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on establishing "Sister Airports" partnership Dec. 6.

At the signing ceremony, Capital Airports Holding Company (CAH) President and CEO Dr. Dong Zhiyi said the agreement will further enhance the airports' cooperation and exchange on operation, customer service and commercial management, and will further reinforce the two sides' exploration and practices on new techniques, new concepts and new ideas, building an efficient and smooth air bridge for the economic exchanges and trade between China and the U.S.

LAX is the primary airport serving the Greater Los Angeles Area, the second-most populated metropolitan area in the U.S. LAX is located in southwestern Los Angeles, 26 km (16 miles) from the downtown core, with 4 parallel runways and 9 terminals. LAX is the third busiest airport in the U.S. and sixth in the world, with 59.07 million passengers and 667,000 aircraft movements in 2010. LAX serves as one of the main hubs for United Airlines and American Airlines.

BCIA is currently the second busiest airport in the world in terms of passenger throughput. The airport is expected to handle up to 79 million passengers in 2011. BCIA has been awarded as the first 4-star airport in mainland China by Skytrax and "ACI Best Airport in the World". As the national gateway, BCIA is leading the development of China's airport industry when striding ahead on the way of "Advancing the Chinese Service and Developing an International Hub". The airport gets more and more attention and praises from the global aviation sector in recent years.

Up to now, BCIA has established "Sister Airports" partnership with 21 airports, including Hong Kong International Airport, Athens Airport, Singapore Changi Airport, Vancouver Airport, Narita International Airport, Manchester Airport, Munich Airport, etc.