A government official said Friday that preparatory work is currently underway prior to government approval on the construction of a second airport in Beijing.

"The project to build a new airport in Beijing has not officially been approved by authorities, however, we aim to start construction as soon as possible," said Huang Min, director of the basic industries department under the National Development and Reform Commission, China's top economic planning body.

Huang said that the building of a new airport in the capital was part of the tasks stated in the nation's 12th Five-Year Development Plan (2011-2015).

Currently, work is underway for the approval of the project, which includes research on the scale, construction standards as well as market orientation of the airport to be built, Huang said at a news conference of the State Council Information Office.

The project must be approved by the State Council, China's cabinet, before construction is allowed to go ahead, Huang said.

Huang said that the new airport is expected to ease the traffic strains currently weighing on the Beijing Capital International Airport as busy routes and massive passenger flows are leading to flight delays.