4,000m altitude airport opens in China

Alanbatnews - A new airport in China's Sichuan Province began operation on Tuesday at 4,068 meters above sea level, official sources announced.

The Garze Gesar Airport, situated in a Tibetan autonomous prefecture, is China's fifth airport located over 4,000 meters above sea level. The airport is expected to handle 500,000 passengers per year.

"So far, only one air route links the airport and Chengdu, capital of Sichuan," the sources added, noting that air routes to Chongqing, Xi'an and Kunming are expected to be launched in the near future.

"The airport will improve the development of the local economy and tourism, as well as emergency response and poverty alleviation," officials added.