Civilian Aviation

　　The Tibetan Plateau features high elevation and fierce weather, the latter including violent thunder storms, hail storms, drifting sand, and volatile air currents. All these combine to pose enormous difficulties for aviation, difficulties which are so serious that world aviation circles dubbed Tibet the "Forbidden Zone in the Air.''
　　 Aviation industry was non-existent in old Tibet. During China's War of Resistance Against Japan (1937-45), the Kuomintang regime, which moved its capital to Chongqing in Sichuan Province, entrusted the China Aviation Company to open flight routes to South Asian countries via Chengdu and Kangding in Sichuan, and Lhasa in Tibet. It did so out of military necessity. As there were no ground weather and communication navigation facilities, aircraft, which were of poor quality, failed to cross the Tibet Plateau.
　　 In December 1955, the State Council of the People's Republic of China decided to open flights from the hinterland to Lhasa, and build an airport in Tibet. It was decided after repeated surveys that the airport could be built in Damxung 80 km (180 km on land) north of Lhasa. An earthen runway, which was 4,500 meters long and 100 meters wide, was built in 18 days to serve as Tibet's first air strip. After repeated trial flights, Han Lin, an air force division commander, flew an Il-12 cargo plane to Damxung on May 26, 1956 along the northern route. Three days later, Pan Guoding, a chief pilot of the Civil Aviation of China, piloted flight Convair 240 to Damxung along the eastern route. They reached their destination after crossing the "Forbidden Zone in the Air,'' a landmark event in China's aviation history.
　　 Following the successful trial flight, the State Administration for Civil Aviation convened a meeting in Beijing in March 1963 to discuss matters related to the Lhasa flight routes. In December 1964, the China Civil Aviation Lhasa Station was inaugurated.
　　 From 1956 to 1965, repeated trial flights were organized, which proved that Il-18 aircraft could adapt to highland flight conditions. Five navigation stations were set up at Xinlong, Qamdo, Shading, Nagqu and Qiaokexi mountain pass. Equipment installed at the Lhasa Aviation Station upgraded radio communications and navigation. Various technical personnel were posted to the site. All weather materials were collected to allow the station to operate in highland conditions. All these activities paved the way for the official opening of the flight route to Lhasa. The General Administration of Civil Aviation of China decided to open the Beijing-Lhasa flight route. From March 1-3, 1965, Il-18 No.204 aircraft completed the maiden flights, marking the official opening of the Beijing-Chengdu-Lhasa flight route.
　　 The opening of the flight route solved the transport problem between China's hinterland and Tibet, a boon for closer relations between Tibet and the motherland. The flight route plays an important part in Tibet's socio-economic development and China's national defense.
　　 Along with the development of Tibetan economy, the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China opened the Lanzhou (later changed into Xi'an)-Golmud-Lhasa flight route between 1975 and 1985.
　　 From November 1969 to April 1970, the CAAC An-12 No.201 plane conducted aerial photography and physical testing over Tibet. The Lhasa Aviation Station was in charge of 39 safety flights. In the winter of 1972, Xigaze was hit by a severe snow storm, sealing off all roads and threatening the lives of local people. The Lhasa Aviation Station worked hard in close coordination with the air force to air-drop close to 200 tons of grain, medicine, cotton padded quilts and coats, thereby making it possible for people in the disaster stricken areas to survive.
　　 When the Lhasa Aviation Station was founded, it was staffed by only 16 people. Nonetheless, they overcame enormous difficulties, such as thin air and highly frigid cold, to guarantee safe flights. In November 1966, the Lhasa Aviation Station moved from Damxung to the Gonggar Airport. In February 1985, the CAAC Tibet Autonomous Regional Administration was founded on the basis of the Lhasa Aviation Station. Over the past 30 years, the CAAC Tibet branch has increased in size. Now it boasts 414 staff members, with 184 having received above-college education. Towards the end of 1994, the Tibet Civil Aviation had 207 managers and technical personnel of Tibetan and other ethnic groups, compared to five in the early 1980s. Most of them were graduates of various CAAC colleges or polytechnic secondary schools. They are very familiar with the aviation industry, and make great contribution to air transportation in Tibet. Over the past 30 years, aircraft molds changed from tuboprop Il-18 in the beginning to Boeing 707 in December 1983 and Boeing 757 in August 1992. In the meantime, the number of flight routes rose from one (Lhasa-Chengdu-Beijing) to five, with new routes leading to Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Qamdo and Kathmandu in Nepal. And flights increased from once a week in the beginning to 20 a week. The burgeoning Tibet Civil Aviation has made great contributions to the reform program and the economic development of Tibet.
　　 The development of the Tibet Civil Aviation received all-out support from the CPC Central Committee, the State Council, the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China, the people's government of the Tibet Autonomous Region, and the CAAC Southwest China Administration. In the last 30 years, the Tibet Civil Aviation has transported 2.73 million people and 44,600 tons of cargo and parcels, making its due contribution to Tibet's reform program and economic development.
　　 The Tibet Civil Aviation has a bright future. The Gonggar Airport was expanded and put into service in September 1993, with a new runway large enough to accommodate the large jumbo jetliners commonly used throughout the world. Its waiting hall, which covers an area of 10,000 square meters, towers over the Yarlung Zangbo River. Its advanced navigation facilities and weather broadcast system have been put into service. In May 1995, the computerized booking system of Lhasa Civil Aviation was connected with the CAAC Computer Center. Passengers in Lhasa are thus able to buy plane tickets for trips from Chengdu to other parts of China, including return tickets. A modernized airport has taken shape on the Roof of the World.