The passenger throughput of Tibet Civil Aviation breaks 2 million in 2012

In 2012, Tibet tourism industry experienced a rapid development and Tibet Civil Aviation has played important role in the development. The total number of visitors made a Tibet tour has broke through 10 million in 2012. It is reported that the throughput of Tibet Civil Aviation breaks 2 million till Nov. 16th, 2012. The annual number of passengers creates a new historical record.

Civil aviation is an important strategic industry for the economic growth of both Tibet Autonomous Region and China. Tibet Civil Aviation is an essential part in the communication and transportation system of Tibet Autonomous Region. The continuous, safe and scientific development of Tibet Civil Aviation is of great significance for the leapfrog development, lasting political stability, consolidation of our frontier border, improving of people's livelihood, and promotion of the national fusion.

The Civil Aviation Bureau of Tibet Autonomous Region attached great importance in the construction of the basic facilities in the airports in Lhasa in 2012. The reconstruction of the flightrun area and auxiliary project of Lhasa Gonggar Airport were completed in 2012. The reorganization and expansion project of Nyingchi Airport and a series of significant construction projects in Qamdo Airport, Nyingchi Airport and Ngari Airport are also started in 2012. These projects greatly enhanced the comprehensive transportation and service guarantee ability of Tibet Civil Aviation. Besides, Tibet Civil Aviation also introduced two airline companies in Xiamen and Chongqing. The total number of airline companies opening flights to Tibet increased to seven and the total air routes to Tibet increased to 38. The flights between Tibet and 22 other domestic cities are available, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xiamen, Fuzhou, Hangzhou, XiAn, Chongqing and Kunming.

The opening and increasing of the flights between Tibet and other domestic cities in China greatly relieved the transport burden on Qinghai-Tibet Railway. It is widely known that it is difficult to get a ticket in the peak season of Tibet Tour. The opening of the flights provides one more choice for tourists being worried about the possible high altitude sickness. A large number of tourists would like to enter into Tibet by air and back to the domestic city via Qinghai-Tibet Railway.

According to statistics, the Civil Aviation Bureau of Tibet Autonomous Region has guaranteed 16448 take-offs and landings between January and September. The passenger throughput during that period reached 1.75 million and that increased 23.7 percent compared to the same period of last year. According to the relevant principals, the transportation and production of Tibet Civil Aviation keep increasing in double-digit recent years. In 2006, the passenger throughput of Lhasa Gonggar Airport broke through one million. In 2012, the airline transport capacity of Tibet Civil Aviation is greatly strengthened. The number and the frequency of flights to Lhasa from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Kunming, Chongqing, Chengdu and XiAn are increased.

It is reported that there are totally 5 airports in Tibet under the administration of the Civil Aviation Bureau of Tibet Autonomous Region, including the Lhasa Gonggar Airport, Qamdo Bangda Airport, Nyingchi Milin Airport, Ngari Kunsha Airport and Shigatse Airport. There are 7 airline companies opened 32 flights between Tibet and 22 other domestic cities. Tibet Civil Aviation is planning an increasingly important role in the transportation between Tibet and other domestic regions.