Changdu Bangda Airport (IATA: BPX, ICAO: ZUBD), also known as Qamdo Bamda Airport, is an airport serving Qamdo (Changdu), Tibet Autonomous Region, China. It is located in the village of Bamda (Bangda).

Background

At an elevation of 4,334 m (14,219 ft) above sea level, Qamdo Airport was formerly the highest airport in the world. It was surpassed by Daocheng Yading Airport, with an elevation of 4,411 m (14,472 ft), on 16 September 2013. It has a very long runway, 4.5 km (2.8 mi), a necessary feature to accommodate the reduced engine and lift performance that affect aircraft at high altitude, requiring higher than normal takeoff speeds and therefore longer takeoff and landing runs.

Runway repairs took place in 2007 and 2013 after decay from the weather. A new 4,500-metre-long (14,800 ft) runway was built, and the original 5,500-metre-long (18,000 ft) runway was closed.[citation needed]

Airlines and destinations

AirlinesDestinations
Air ChinaChengdu–Shuangliu
Tibet AirlinesBeijing–Capital, Chengdu–Shuangliu, Chongqing, Lhasa, Mianyang, Xi'an
West AirChongqing

See also

Records
Preceded byEl Alto International AirportWorld's highest airport 4,334 m (14,219 ft) 1994–2013Succeeded byDaocheng Yading Airport