Recently, the Beijing area has been hit by prolonged heavy rainfall. BGS promptly activated its special weather emergency response plan. All departments have coordinated closely and continuously strengthened safety management for on-site operations, making every effort to ensure smooth flight operations under these special weather conditions.

Be prepared for the worst and play the “early warning” card for flood prevention.

Before the onset of this year’s rainy season, BGS had already proactively prepared special weather protection plans and carried out necessary preparatory work. We have revised the emergency manual for the rainy season and conducted comprehensive drills on the rainy-season emergency response plan, ensuring that all on-duty personnel can respond promptly and accurately according to the plan. We’ve also identified and addressed potential short-circuit risks in equipment during thunderstorms, performing thorough maintenance and upkeep on all equipment to guarantee stable and reliable operation even under rainy conditions. Through a combination of online and offline training, we’ve provided specialized instruction to staff on topics such as lightning protection on the apron and operations in special weather conditions, thereby comprehensively enhancing employees’ ability to handle situations during thunderstorms. At the same time, BGS has further strengthened employees’ safety awareness, offering guidance on safe work practices and travel precautions, and emphasizing that the safety of both employees and passengers is equally important.

In addition, BGS has made every effort to provide logistical support for its on-duty staff by distributing raincoats and other personal protective equipment in advance, as well as stockpiling essential supplies such as instant noodles and drinking water. Prior to this, BGS had already renovated the staff break rooms in line with the working environment, optimizing the rest areas for employees and laying a solid foundation for ensuring smooth flight operations even under rainy weather conditions.

Put yourself in others’ shoes and take up the “responsibility” of flood prevention.

As heavy rainstorms strike, BGS employees remain on high alert, meticulously deploying and reinforcing flood-control measures. Management personnel have adopted a “stationed” mode at the frontline, with duty staff taking turns on shift in a tiered system and implementing grid-based monitoring. Inspection and surveillance efforts are continuously intensified to ensure the safe and smooth operation of flights. To guarantee the smooth operation of flights on-site, the BGS Central Operations Control Center closely monitors real-time weather conditions, keeps a constant eye on flight status, strengthens communication with the airport and airlines, and ensures effective coordination among all departments, thereby ensuring accurate and efficient information flow. Meanwhile, each frontline operational department is systematically carrying out all necessary support tasks in accordance with pre-established procedures and the latest directives.

Focusing on “age-friendly” services, BGS pays close attention to special passenger groups and provides timely assistance. When flights are delayed, BGS assigns dedicated staff at the boarding gates to answer passengers’ questions, promptly update them on the latest flight information, help them plan their itineraries, and immediately reassure them. Additionally, in accordance with airline requirements, BGS provides meals to passengers whose flights are significantly delayed. To ensure the safe handling of passengers’ luggage and cargo both entering and leaving the airport, BGS overcomes challenging operational conditions such as slippery ground and poor visibility caused by rainy weather. It promptly covers passengers’ luggage and cargo under aircraft with plastic tarpaulins, efficiently and orderly completing the loading and unloading operations for each flight. Moreover, to make travel more secure and comfortable for passengers at remote stands who need to take shuttle buses, BGS coordinates with airlines to prepare and distribute raincoats in advance. Before each operation, BGS thoroughly cleans the floor of the shuttle buses to prevent passengers from slipping. Furthermore, BGS increases the frequency of in-bus announcements to remind passengers to bring rain gear and luggage and to get ready for disembarkation.

Be fully prepared and hold tight the "key card" for flood control.

Under special weather conditions, ensuring the safe and efficient transportation of goods remains a top priority for BGS. To this end, BGS has strengthened preventive measures across four key areas—receiving, storage, assembly, and pre-departure inspection—to avoid moisture damage to the cargo. First, BGS continuously tracks flight and cargo statuses, making preparations in advance for receiving and warehousing. It conducts rigorous inspections of external packaging, meticulously records findings, and carefully counts and verifies each item. Based on the actual conditions of the secondary agent’s warehouse, BGS adopts a strategy of multiple smaller shipments to reduce pressure on warehousing and ensure timely receipt of goods. Second, BGS makes full use of ETV systems and internal warehouse space resources to accelerate the speed of cargo handling and shelving. During the assembly stage, BGS strictly adheres to the airline’s regulations regarding the use of plastic tarpaulins during the rainy season and thoroughly inspects the sealing condition of cargo covers before departure, reinforcing any loose areas with tape. Finally, before dispatching, transport drivers conduct a second check on the condition of the cargo to ensure that the plastic tarpaulins remain securely inside the netting covers. They also strictly follow the speed-reduction measures on the apron, avoiding overtaking in areas prone to water accumulation.

It is reported that Beijing Capital Airport will again experience severe convective weather, including thunderstorms, during the summer of 2023. BGS will continue to optimize its service and support procedures, maintaining a high level of operational readiness and ensuring safe, efficient, and convenient ground services for passengers and customers even under special weather conditions.