Beijing overtakes Heathrow as world's second busiest airport

London/Beijing, Dec.13 (ANI): Beijing's Capital Airport has officially overtaken London's Heathrow to become the world's second-busiest international air-hub.

According to state-run People's Daily and The Telegraph, the airport welcomed its 70 millionth passenger on December 9 this year.

The passenger was an Australian identified as Mr. Li", who was en route to Singapore.

He was rewarded with a red scarf, the Chinese colour of wealth and good luck.

Traffic to Beijing International grew by 16.9 per cent last year to 65.3 million passengers, only narrowly behind Heathrow, which saw a 1.5 per cent drop to 66 million passengers.

The world's busiest airport remains Atlanta's Hartsfield International in Georgia, United States, with 88 million passengers in 2009. (ANI)