An Air China Airbus A330 takes off from Beijing Capital International Airport. [Photo/Provided to China Daily]

BEIJING - Beijing's new international airport, which is currently under construction, will eventually be able to handle 100 million passengers annually, authorities said Friday.

Before 2025, the airport will be able to handle 72 million passengers, 2 million tons of cargo and mail, and have 4 runways, according to a plan approved by government last year.

It is planned that the new airport will have seven runways.

Located in southern Beijing's Daxing district, the airport is expected to meet the capital's rising demand for air travel and help balance development in Beijing's southern and northern areas.

Construction on the runway started late last year, and construction on the airport's terminal started in September 2015.