China plans to build three new airports in Tibet in addition to the five existing ones to promote tourism and economic growth, official media reported.
The new airports will be in Shannan, Xigaze and Ali, according the regional government and the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
Ali is part of Ngari prefecture of Tibet where Mount Kailash and Manasarovar Hindu holy sites are located.
Construction of the three airports, all above the altitude of 3,900 metres, should begin in 2019, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
Capital Airport Holding Company will be responsible for the construction of the airport in Shannan, Shanghai Airport Authority for the airport in Xigaze and West Airport Group for Ali.
The three companies are scheduled to transfer the airports to local operators after one or two years of operation.
Currently, Tibet has five civil airports in Lhasa, Qamdo, Nyingchi, Ali and Xigaze, with nine airlines operating 86 routes, including an international one.
Source: Devdiscourse