China Set To Build World’s Highest Airport In Tibet
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China will spend more than 1.8 billion yuan ($280 million) next year in order to build the world’s highest airport in Tibet’s Nagqu County, reported the Xinhua News Agency on Tuesday.
The newly built Nagqu airport will have an altitude of 4,436 metres above sea level, making it 102 metres higher than the current record holder – the Bamda airport in Tibet’s Qamdo prefecture.
China will spend more than 1.8 billion yuan ($280 million) next year in order to build the world’s highest airport in Tibet’s Nagqu County, reported the Xinhua News Agency on Tuesday.
The newly built Nagqu airport will have an altitude of 4,436 metres above sea level, making it 102 metres higher than the current record holder – the Bamda airport in Tibet’s Qamdo prefecture.
According to the Tibetan Branch of the China Civil Aviation Administration, the airport is expected to be completed within 3 years and will cover an area of up to 267 hectares – becoming the 6th civilian airport in Tibet.
Regional aviation authorities hope that with the additional airport, more flights can be added to connect major cities in Tibet as well as to link the plateau region with other major cities in China.
At least two of Tibet’s current airports are only open for just a few months every year due to the extreme weather conditions, which makes flying impossible for the rest of the year.
Under its Western Development Strategy launched in 1999, China has invested billions of dollars in promoting major infrastructure programmes in Tibet, including the construction of a strong railway network, highways, and airports.
[quote]Most experts believe that China’s development efforts have been an attempt to win the hearts and minds of the Tibetan people, while also providing a cost effective method to access Tibet’s rich mineral resources.[/quote]The increase in flight services within Tibet will help the country handle 2.2 million passengers and 15,000 tonnes of cargo in 2012, added the Tibetan Branch of the China Civil Aviation Administration. By 2015, China hopes that the Himalayan region will be able to play host to about 15 million visitors a year.
