Air China will this week inaugurate flights between Chengdu and Rikaze/Shigatse its fifth destination in the autonomous region of Tibet. The airline will offer a three times weekly Airbus A319 service into the Tibetan airport from July 8. The facility is located at an elevation of 3,782m above sea level, making it one of the highest airports in the world.

Air China offers more than 90 flights per week into Tibet, with existing links to four destinations: Lhasa, Nyingchi, Qamdo Bangda and Shiquanhe Ngari. The capital Lhasa has flights from Chonqing and Chengdu while Nyingchi and Qamdo Bangda also have direct links from Chengdu and Shiquanhe Ngari is served from Lhasa as an extension of three of the weekly services from Chengdu. Air China also has four flights per week from Lhasa to the Nepalese capital Kathmandu.

Air China will soon face competition on its flights to Tibet following the recent delivery of the first of three Airbus A319s to Tibet Airlines. The start-up carrier is planning to offer links to Beijing and Chengdu from Lhasa, as well as serving local destinations including Ali Kunsha, the highest airport in the world.

Schedule:

CA4421 CTU0655 – 0920RKZ 319 135
CA4422 RKZ1010 – 1210CTU 319 135