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China to open fourth civilian airport in Tibet

PTI

China plans to operationalise its fourth civilian airport in Tibet in Ngari Prefecture, close to India, next year as part of the efforts to boost infrastructure facilities in the strategic Himalayan region.

The Gunsa Airport in southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region is expected to start operation on 1 July 2010, to become the fourth civil airport on the “Roof of the World”, local officials said.

The parking apron, its 4,500-metre-long runway as well as meteorological radars have been completed, said Hu Jinfa, head of the airport project headquarters.

The airport, more than 4,000 metres above sea level, will have an annual throughput capacity of 120,000 passengers by 2020. Test flights were conducted successfully from 13 to 18 October, Hu said.

Construction began in May 2007 and is expected to cost 1.647 billion yuan (241.22 million US dollars), Xinhua news agency reported from Lhasa, the regional capital.

The other airports in Tibet are Gonggar Airport in Lhasa, Bangdag Airport in Chamdo and Nyingchi Airport.

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