Since the implementation of the 14th Five-Year Plan, Xizang's civil aviation has prioritized both safety and development, continuously advancing infrastructure upgrades, growth in transport production, expansion of route networks, and optimization of service quality. An efficient and unobstructed "air golden bridge" has been built over the snowy plateau, providing strong support for theregion's economic and social development.

Safety foundation sontinuously strengthened

In the tower control room of the Air Traffic Management Center's Control Operations Department of the Civil Aviation Administration of Xizang Autonomous Region, controllers closely monitor radar screens, track flight movements in real-time via radio, and precisely direct the takeoff and landing of each aircraft. The smooth coordination of every phase, from pushback, ground taxiing to takeoff and lift-off, all relies on the split-second accuracy of the scientific dispatching here.

Such meticulous organization and dispatching stem from Xizang civil aviation's deep understanding and proactive response to its unique operating environment.

All airports in Xizang are high plateau airports, facing multiple challenges such as complex meteorologica conditions, rugged terrain, and susceptibility of equipment performance to the environment. Xizang's civil aviation has always firmly upheld the principle that "safety is the lifeline of the civil aviation industry," unwaveringly adhering to the principle of "safety first". It has improved the full-staffsafety production accountability system, vigorously implemented the "four responsibilities," established a "six major safety" management framework, strengthened production and operation organization, continuously enhanced risk and hidden danger prevention and controlmeasures, and effectively ensured the safety of flights in Xizang.

Simultaneously, Xizang civil aviation actively promotes technology empowerment. It has established the "High Plateau Complex Meteorological Early Warning Technology Innovation Joint Laboratory," convened the "Xizang Civil Aviation Technology Development Symposium," accelerated the application of advanced systems such as new automated towers, surface movement radar, and intelligent meteorological observation, and introduced intelligent platforms like smart production operations, smart bird repelling, and smart security, significantly improving the intelligence level of operational support.

Today, Xizang civil aviation has built a solid aviation safety barrier. The average efficiency of aircraft taxi-in and taxi-out has increased by about 20% compared to the beginning of the 14th Five-Year Plan period. Systems for flight plan processing, aeronautical meteorological information processing, and aeronautical information processing have achieved integrated operations across all airports in the region, enabling Xizang's air traffic control to "see and hear all around," leading to a comprehensive enhancement of safe operation capabilities.

Hardware infrastructure continuously upgraded

On the south bank of the Yarlung Zangbo River, the sign for "Lhasa Gonggar International Airport" shines brightly in the sunlight. Step into Terminal 3, passengers can pass through quickly using facial recognition. Facilities like free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal, smart charging stations, and multilingual translation devices make travel more comfortable and convenient. In front of Terminal 3, orderly flows of people and vehicles showcase the efficient operation and vibrant energy of a modern airport.

All this benefits from the steady progress of major infrastructure projects in Xizang's civil aviationsector. The expansion and renovation project ofthe terminal area at Lhasa Gonggar Airport is a key initiative. The newly built T3, covering 88,000 square meters—53 times the size of the original terminal—was put into operation in 2021. In July 2024, approved by the Civil Aviation Administration of China, Lhasa Gonggar Airport was officially renamed Lhasa Gonggar International Airport, further elevating its international status.

With the operation of T3, a series of smart services have been successively introduced, including self-check-in, self-baggage drop, "paperless" clearance, "Scan to Travel," facial recognition, and contactless security checks. Today, passengers can complete all check-in procedures at Lhasa Gonggar International Airport with just an ID card and an electronic boarding pass.

Besides Terminal 3, the construction of a new second runway has made the airport the first high plateau airport in China capable of dual-runway operations, greatly enhancing flight handling capacity. The new control tower, put into use in September 2024, integrates cutting-edge technologies in communication, navigation, and meteorology, achieving a high degree of automation and intelligence. It allows controllers to grasp airspace and ground movement dynamics more clearly, significantly improving air traffic service capabilities and response speed.

Furthermore, during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, civil aviation construction in Xizang has continued. Three feeder airports—Shannan Lhunze Airport, Xigaze Dingri Airport, and Ngari Purang Airport—have been successively completed and put into operation. Currently, the region has formed a "1+7" transportation airport layout, with Lhasa Gonggar International Airport as the hub and seven feeder airports including Qamdo Bamda, Nyingchi Mainling, NgariGunsa, and Xigaze Peace. This layouthasmadethe"skyway over the snowy plateau" increasinglyaccessible andsmooth.

Route network continuously expanded

To facilitate public travel and serve regional development, Xizang's civil aviation has continuously expanded its transportation network. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, it successively launched flights from the three newly built feeder airports, opened 63 new routes including Lhasa-Chongqing-Singapore, Lhasa-Chengdu-Hong Kong, Lhasa-Pokhara, Qamdo-Chengdu-Beijing, and Xigaze-Shanghai. It added 20 new destinations, including Hong Kong, Pokhara, Sanming, and Changzhou, and increased flight frequencies to key cities like Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, and Xi'an, making the route network more extensive. To date, 12 airlines (including one baseairline) operate routes to and from Xizang, connecting 86 domestic and international cities with 200 routes (including 3 international routeand 1 regionalroute). The air route network layout of "one main and one secondary hub, two eastern and western external corridors" is rapidly taking shape.

Meanwhile, Xizang’s civil aviation has accelerated the construction of a "feeder-trunk connectivity, network-wide linkage" system by launching connecting services via airports like Chengdu and Chongqing, jointly introducing the "Hainan Airlines Infinite Connectivity" domestic transfer service with 11 airlines under the HNA Group, and launching service products like "I Help You" transfers. These provide passengers with convenient services such as "one-time check-in, one-time security check, worry-free baggage," further improving the route network layout.

Additionally, Xizang’s civil aviation has introduced models like "land-to-air transfer" and "mail-to-cargo transfer," opened the Lhasa-Ezhou allcargo freight route, and initiated international freight and international "air-to-air transfer" services. These provide efficient air logistics channels for exporting highland characteristic agricultural products like Tibetan medicine and incense, and importing quality supplies from outside the region.

The extensive route network has driven rapid growth in transport operations. Data shows that during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Xizang’s civil aviation sectorhas cumulatively handled 294,600 aircraft takeoffs and landings, transported 31.8824 million passengers, and handled 235,100 tons of cargo and mail. These figures represent increases of 28%, 28%, and 19% respectively compared to the 13th Five-Year Plan period.

From safe operations to facility upgrades, from route expansion to service improvement, today, numerous "sky roads" soaroversnowy mountains and steep ridges. They not only bring Xizang closer to the world but also serveas an "air golden bridge" that supports Xizang's opening-up and its economic and social development.

Reporter: Geng Ruixian, Tang Yanping

Translator: Dan Zhen, Zhi Xinghua

Review: Hu Rongguo, Li Chengye