Airports in Tibet Guide

The five major airports in Tibet include Lhasa Kongga Airport, Qamdo Bangda Airport, Nyingchi Mainling Airport, Shigatse Peace Airport, and Nagri Gunsa Airport. Lhasa Gonggar Airport is the most popular and important one. It is also the only airport with international flights, connecting Kathmandu and Lhasa. This airport was officially renamed Lhasa Gonggar International Airport on July 19, 2024. In addition, with the support of the Civil Aviation Administration of China for the construction of airports in Tibet. More and more airports have begun to operate, such as Nagri Pulan Airport, Xigaze Dingri Airport, Shannan Longzi Airport, etc. Currently, there are eight airports under operation in Tibet. These airports connect Tibet with the outside world with fast and comfortable flights.

In 1956, Damxung County, about 103 mi (166km) from Lhasa City, was chosen as the base to construct the first airport in Tibet. On May 29, 1956, a Convair CV-240-401 departed from Guanghan Airport in Sichuan Province and successfully landed on the runway of Damxung Airport. Since then, five airports have been constructed in Tibet. Firstly, it was Lhasa Gonggar Airport built in 1965. After the establishment of Lhasa Gonggar Airport, Damxung Airport was dismantled. Later, Qamdo Bangda Airport, Nyingchi Mainling Airport, Shigatse Peace Airport, and Ngari Gunsa Airport were established successively.