Summary

  • ARJ21 aircraft operates on high plateau route in China, connecting Kashgar and Tashikuergan.
  • Tashkurgan Hongqilafu Airport, China’s westernmost airport, is also Xinjiang’s first high plateau airport.
  • Chengdu Airlines expands its Xinjiang operations, opening 43 routes and serving 24 airports, aiming for regional aviation development.

An ARJ21 aircraft with the Chengdu Airlines “Sunbird” livery took off from Kashgar Laining International Airport (KHG) in Xinjiang and headed to Tashikuergan Hongqilafu Airport (HQL). For the first time, a Chinese self-developed aircraft is operating on a high plateau route in China.

The Kashgar-Tashkurgan round-trip route operated by Chengdu Airlines is scheduled to fly every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, with flight numbers EU3079/3080. The outbound flight is expected to depart Kashgar at 9:25 and arrive in Tashkurgan at 10:20. The return flight is expected to depart Tashkurgan at 11:00 and return to Kashgar at 12:00.

ARJ21 high plateau 2

Photo: COMAC

Tashkurgan Hongqilafu Airport (HQL), at an altitude of 3,258.4 meters (10,690 feet), is the first high plateau airport in Xinjiang. According to regulations by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), airports above 1,524 meters (5,000 feet) are considered plateau airports, and those above 2,438 meters (8,000 feet) are classified as high plateau airports. The CAAC has additional regulatory requirements for pilot qualifications and aircraft operation verification for these airports.

As of the end of 2023, there are 24 high plateau airports nationwide, distributed across the southwest, northwest, and central-south regions, operated by 12 airlines.

Although administratively, Tashkurgan County is under the jurisdiction of Kashgar Prefecture, the road distance from Kashgar City to Tashkurgan County is about 300 kilometers, requiring about 5–6 hours by car. The opening of this air route shortens the commuting time between the two places to about one hour.

Tashkurgan Hongqilafu Airport – China’s westernmost airport

Tashkurgan County, part of Kashgar Prefecture in Xinjiang, is located on the eastern edge of the Pamir Plateau and borders Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and the Kashmir region. It is an autonomous region for the Tajik ethnic group. The famous K2 peak lies on the border between Tashkurgan County and Pakistan. In Uyghur, Tashkurgan means “stone city,” named after an ancient stone fortress north of the city.

The county’s average elevation is above 4,000 meters, and its population of approximately 43,000 comprises a multi-ethnic community. Hongqilafu Airport, situated in the southern part of the county, is not only Xinjiang’s first high plateau airport but also China’s westernmost airport, having opened on December 23, 2022. The name “Hongqilafu” means “fatal valley” in Persian and is also the name of the border gate between China and Pakistan.

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Before the airport was constructed, the local passengers who wanted to travel to Urumqi needed to take a bus to Kashgar (about 5-6 hours) and then fly or take a train from Kashgar to Urumqi (flight will take two hours and the train will take more than 17 hours) or directly by bus from Zhaosu to Urumqi (around 22 hours). Now the direct flight will only take them two and a half hours.

ARJ21 high plateau 3

Photo: COMAC

Tashkurgan Hongqilafu Airport is Xinjiang’s 25th civil airport in operation, continuing to maintain Xinjiang’s leading position in the number of airports nationwide. According to Chinese government plans, by 2025, Xinjiang will have 33 civil airports.

Chengdu Airlines’ ambitions in Xinjiang and Central Asia

Since May 2023, Chengdu Airlines has established three bases in Xinjiang: Turpan, Yining, and Kashgar. It has deployed nine ARJ21 aircraft and opened 43 routes, serving 24 airports in Xinjiang, accounting for 96% of the region’s 25 airports.

Xinjiang borders Central Asian countries, making it geographically well-suited for developing regional aviation. Regional aviation also benefits the local economy and promotes trade development.

ARJ21 high plateau 4

Photo: COMAC

Just last month, on June 7, Chengdu Airlines launched a commercial route using the ARJ21 aircraft from Kashgar in Xinjiang to Khujand in Tajikistan. This marks the first time Chengdu Airlines has expanded its ARJ21 operational network in Xinjiang to a major city in Central Asia.

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