BEIJING, Feb. 4 -- Beijing Capital Airport is expected to transport 9.84 million passengers during Spring Festival, which started on Wednesday and runs until March 15.

The 40-day travel frenzy is known as "Chunyun", the hectic period surrounding Chinese New Year, which falls this year on Feb. 19.

The period of Chinese New Year celebrations is China's most important family holiday, with hundreds of millions of people heading for their hometowns to reunite with relatives and old friends, putting huge stress on the transportation system.

Beijing Capital Airport will handle a daily average of 245,900 people during this year's Chunyun, up 4.12 percent from the same period in 2014.

A total of 65,500 arrival and departure flights, 1,638 daily on average, are scheduled for Chunyun, up 4.62 percent on last year.

On Wednesday, there are 1,638 planned flights, with arrival and departure passengers expected to hit 235,700.

Three travel peaks will appear during this year's 40-day Chunyun: from Feb. 9 to 17, from Feb. 24 to 28, and from March 7 to 10.