Beijing Nanyuan Airport

The airport's civil aviation operations were permanently ceased following the opening of the new Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX). All commercial flights and airline operations, primarily those of China United Airlines, were transferred to the new, much larger, and more modern Daxing Airport. The closure was part of a strategic plan to overhaul Beijing's aviation infrastructure, as Nanyuan was old, had limited capacity, and its location within the expanding city made it unsuitable for future growth.

After the cessation of all commercial flights, the airport reverted to its function as an exclusive military airbase for the People's Liberation Army Air Force. The runways and military facilities remain active for military purposes. The former civilian terminal building and some surrounding areas are being preserved and redeveloped into the Beijing Nanyuan Aviation Museum to commemorate the airport's rich history and its role as China's first aviation center.

Beijing Nanyuan Airport was the oldest airport in China, with a history stretching back to 1910. It was originally a small airfield for the Qing Dynasty's army. Throughout its 109-year history, it served critical roles as both a military airbase and a public airport. It was a primary base for the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). When active for public use (with former IATA code NAY and ICAO code ZBNY), it was the main hub for China United Airlines and served as Beijing's secondary airport, offering a low-cost alternative for domestic flights to the much larger Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK). Its long history makes it a landmark in the development of Chinese aviation.

There are zero prospects for reopening Beijing Nanyuan Airport for commercial or civil aviation. Its role in the public air transport system has been permanently and completely replaced by Beijing Daxing International Airport. The site's future is firmly established as a dedicated military installation and a historical museum.