Tibet will add 58 general airports!
News from Civil Aviation Resource Network on February 8, 2023: Recently, the National Development and Reform Commission of the Tibet Autonomous Region announced the "General Aviation Development Plan of the Tibet Autonomous Region (2021-2035)". By 2035, on the basis of making full use of the existing and planned transport airports to carry out general aviation services, and incorporating Lhasa General Airport into the plan, 58 new general airports will be added, bringing the total number of general airports in the region to 59. According to this, is will be necessary to build a number of aprons, and a general aviation infrastructure network system with the transport airport as the core, the general airport as the support, and the apron as the supplement.
According to the proposed plan:
Short-term goal (by 2025) is to lay a solid foundation for development and vigorously promote the construction of general-purpose airports and supporting facilities. Lhasa General Airport, Tibet Emergency Rescue Base, has been completed and put into use, and the four existing transport airports in Nyingchi - Milin, Qamdo Bangda, Ngari Kunsha and Shigatse Peace - have been renovated for general aviation functions, as well as the three newly built transport airports in Tingri, Longzi and Pulan - have been renovated for general aviation functions, and 14 new general airports will be built, with about 200 tarmac (including those needed by third parties). It will focus on building an emergency rescue network based on Lhasa general-purpose airport, clarify the aviation emergency rescue operation system and policy system, and establish air force construction and development mechanism for aviation emergency rescue, play an active role in public service areas such as emergency rescue, forest firefighting, police flight, medical rescue, etc. development path. Strengthen the construction of talent teams and the planning and construction of supporting projects such as air traffic control and aviation fuel.
Mid-term goal (by 2030) - the general airport system will essentially be completed, and the quality and efficiency of general aviation development will be improved. Strive to build 26 new general-purpose airports, build about 200 aprons as needed, and essentially complete a network of general-purpose airports with clear layers, reasonable structure, complete functions, and close connections. The joint development of feeder airports and general airports will take shape, and public service networks such as general aviation emergency rescue and short-distance transportation have taken shape. Vigorous promotion of the application of general aviation in the fields of emergency rescue, national defense stability maintenance, medical rescue, short-distance transportation, air tours, education and training, encouraging the cultivation of new forms of general aviation, and accelerating the formation of a mutual promotion mechanism for government or industry applications to drive market-oriented applications will be conducted.
Long-term goal (by 2035) - to achieve leapfrog development of general aviation. The layout of the airport will be further improved, and strive to build more than 18 general-purpose airports. The total number of general-purpose airports in the region has reached 59, and several aprons have been built as needed. Fundamentally, each county-level administrative unit will have more than one general-purpose airport, and aviation services will cover the whole region, more than 95% of the population. A general aviation system with sound systems, complete systems, and strong guarantees has been fully established. General aviation operations will be efficient, people's livelihood and public services will be comprehensively covered, and the competitiveness of extended industries will be significantly enhanced, promoting Tibet to achieve a new round of innovation and transformation and take the lead in leapfrogging.
In the near future (by 2025), on the basis of the completion of Lhasa general Airport, full consideration will be given to the construction of flight service support network, and priority will be given to the areas with weak air service coverage of existing airports. 14 new general airports will be built in Sani, Karuo, Zayu, Zanda, Gertse, Yadong, Tsona, Saga(萨嘎), Xainza, Rutog, Bomê, Markam, Sog County and Kerung will basically achieve full coverage of flight services within a service radius of 300 kilometers; priority is given to ground transportation Build about 200 helipads in inconvenient and disaster-prone areas to meet the construction requirements of the emergency rescue system.
In the mid-term (2026-2030), with the improvement of the general aviation management system and mechanism in the region and the gradual opening of low-altitude airspace, the element support capabilities of general aviation will gradually increase, focusing on areas with strong willingness for local construction, areas with concentrated tourist resources, and disaster-prone areas. Build a number of general-purpose airports in development areas and areas with weak public air transport coverage, build 巴宜、丁青、江达、八宿、尼木、林周、康马、乃东、洛扎、隆子（扎日乡）、曲松、浪卡子、班戈、拉孜、定结、尼玛、贡觉、左贡、墨竹工卡、当雄、桑珠孜、聂拉木、朗县、察雅、仲巴、岗巴26 General airports, general aviation infrastructure networks have begun to take shape. Build about 200 helipads in key tourist attractions, emergency rescue and key areas of national defense and stability maintenance to meet the needs of low-altitude tourism and emergency rescue
In the long term (2031-2035), further improve the construction of general airports and supporting facilities, and basically form a general aviation service network. Build边坝、洛隆、类乌齐、比如、江孜、加查、措美、琼结、工布江达、聂荣、安多、嘉黎、昂仁、谢通门、萨迦、双湖、措勤、革吉, and about 300 helipads will be built as needed, forming a relatively complete general-purpose airport system. Upgrade the existing general airport and improve the airport facilities and equipment.
***This is a partial translation of the full text that can be accessed here.
*** General aviation development plan of the Tibet Autonomous Region (2021 - 2035) can be accessed here
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