First look at new $12 billion airport that resembles an alien spaceship

A brand-new airport is set to open in Beijing next year and it's turning heads for its futuristic design.  

Designed by the late star architect Zaha Hadid, Beijing's new international airport has been described as looking like an alien spacecraft, and it's not hard to see why.

Set to open in June 2019, once the first phase is completed, the airport will service 75 million passengers a year (that's 630,000 flights).

By 2025, further expansion of the airport will see that number increase to 100 million passengers and 4 million tonnes of cargo annually.

Despite the $12 billion-dollar structure's extra-terrestrial appearance, the design was inspired by "the harmony and balance evident in Chinese landscapes", according to the Zaha Hadid team.

"Its colours and materials are an expression of visual language within traditional Chinese culture," the team added.

At the heart of the terminal will be a space-like central hub, with six connected walkways in the air that will make navigating the airport a lot easier.

The largest airport in the world is Atlanta‘s Hartsfiend-Jackson International Airport which has held the title since 1997. Next on the list is Běijīng Capital International Airport followed by Dubai International Airport and Tokyo‘s Haneda Airport.