Tibet to get world's highest-altitude airport in 2012

BEIJING: China is considering to build the world's highest-altitude airport next year in Tibet.

The proposed airport is planned to be constructed at an altitude of 4,436 meters in Nagqu prefecture and will be 102 meters higher than Bamda Airport in Tibet's Qamdo prefecture, presently the world's highest. The airport will be constructed on area of up to 660 acres.

According to the Tibetan Branch of the China Civil Aviation Administration, the airport is estimated to incur the costs of 1.8 billion yuan (USD 285 million) within its three-year construction period.

The regional aviation authorities are planning to augment additional flights next year so as to connect major cities in Tibet and also to link the plateau region with other major cities nationwide.

The augmentation in flight services is likely to help Tibet's airports handle 2.2 million passengers and 15,000 tonnes of cargo in 2012.