Six Decades of Flight: Xizang Civil Aviation Hits 8 Million Passenger Throughput

Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region has reached a major milestone in its civil aviation history. The region's annual passenger throughput surpassed 8 million as of Monday in 2025, setting a new record for the high-altitude plateau. This achievement coincides with the 60th anniversary of the region's first civil aviation flight.

Regional civil aviation authorities project a significant surge in activity for the year. The number of takeoffs and landings is expected to increase by 6 percent to 71,000 flights. Passenger transport volume is forecast to rise by 5.7 percent, with the cargo and mail sector seeing a 7.7 percent increase.

A History of High-Altitude Flight

The growth marks a stark contrast to the sector's beginnings six decades ago. The region's first air route opened on March 1, 1965. An Il-18 aircraft flew from Beijing, stopped in Chengdu, and landed at Damxung airport the next day.

Damxung airport was China's first plateau airport operating above 4,000 meters, sitting on a grassland at 4,230 meters above sea level. Its extreme altitude and remote location, 180 kilometers from Lhasa, limited its capacity. A new, lower-lying airport was opened in 1966 in the Yarlung Zangbo River valley. This site developed into the current Lhasa Konggar International Airport (LKIA), the region's main aviation hub, at an altitude of about 3,500 meters.

Overcoming Operational Challenges

Early plateau airport operations faced extreme conditions. Veteran officials recall runways often covered with snow and ice. Airport staff, and even waiting passengers, sometimes helped clear the runways using makeshift tools to keep flights on schedule. Pilots operating in the region require special training to handle maneuvers in the thin air and challenging terrain, a standard practice for high-altitude airports globally.

The Economic Lifeline and Tourism Boom

Over the past decades, the Xizang civil aviation network has expanded dramatically. The region now operates eight civil airports and has grown from one single route to 193 routes connecting 81 cities across China. This expansion, overseen by the regional branch of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), has transformed the local economy.

Air Cargo Growth

Cargo services have evolved from bringing in basic necessities to handling high-value goods. Inbound cargo now includes fresh perishables and cold-chain pharmaceuticals. Outbound cargo features Xizang specialties like yak meat, barley products, and Tibetan medicine. Flights from LKIA are now facilitating trade, connecting the region to markets across China and reaching South Asian markets.

Tourism and Connectivity

The Xizang tourism boom is a key driver of the 8 million passenger throughput record. Tourists now make up a significantly larger share of air passengers. The opening of Ngari Gunsa Airport in 2010, for example, saw the prefecture's tourist numbers increase by over 40 times by 2024.

Local residents are also benefiting from the improved connectivity. An increasing number of Xizang residents are flying for study, work, and travel. A flight to Shanghai, for instance, offers a few hours of travel compared to long road journeys. This expansion is a crucial part of the region's development, as noted in recent commercial aviation news from the region, which often features airlines like Tibet Airlines as a key operator.

This robust development of the high-altitude plateau air network highlights the critical role of aviation in connecting remote regions and supporting economic growth. The ongoing investment in infrastructure and routes ensures Xizang remains a vital hub for both domestic and international travel and trade, as reported on flying.flights.