Meanwhile, Lhasa Gonggar International Airport will be expanded to add a second runway, which is expected to be completed by 2020.

 

The four projects are part of the five key projects supported by the civil aviation authority during the 2016-20 period. The five projects represent a total investment of about 16.7 billion yuan ($2.6 billion), he said.

 

Currently, Tibet has five airports, with nine airlines operating 86 air routes linking Tibet with other cities. Of those, there is one international air route connecting with Kathmandu, Pedron said.

 

"Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, central government departments have placed high priority on civil aviation development in Tibet," said Wu Yingjie, the region's Party chief.

 

Wu said the development of civil aviation in Tibet has accelerated communication and exchanges between Tibet and other places.