Daocheng Yading Airport, located in the town of Daocheng, Sichuan province, has begun operation today, marking the birth of the world’s highest airport by altitude, at 4,411 metres above sea level.
The government approved a budget of RMB1.5 billion (US$245.2 million) to construct the airport, which includes a 4,200-metre runway, four airplane bays and a 5,000 sqm terminal.
To reach the airport, passengers can take Air China’s daily flight from Chengdu Shuangliu airport. The route is serviced by a 128-seat A319 with two classes – eight first class seats in 2-2 configuration and 120 economy seats arranged 3-3.
|
Flight number |
Departure |
Time |
Arrival |
Time |
|
CA4215 |
Chengdu |
0650 |
Daocheng |
0755 |
|
CA4216 |
Daocheng |
0845 |
Chengdu |
0950 |
The airport will further develop links to Chongqing, Kunming, Guiyang and Xian, with a goal to reach 280,000 in annual passenger volume by 2020.
Daocheng's economy is mainly focused on tourism. It is the gateway to the scenic Yading Nature Reserve Park, an area so beautiful that it is called by some "the last Shangri-la". A cultural art exhibition centre is under construction near the airport. A “Shangri-la project” is also in progress, with the ambition to develop the city into an international tourism hotspot.
For more information, visit www.kdjcgroup.net (Chinese only)
Valerian Ho
