Inauguration of the new highest airport in the world

Airport Daocheng - Yading in the Chinese province of Sichuan, located 4411 meters above sea level, yesterday hosted its first commercial flight from Chengdu, operated by Airbus A319 by Air China.

The opening 16 September 2013 platform allows the airport to beat the previous record of 77 meters above sea level, previously held by Chamdo in the autonomous province of Tibet. Daocheng (DCY) has a single runway of 4,200 meters and four parking areas, and currently offers only one road from Chengdu to 65 minutes flight away - while the estimated the road could take up to two days. The authorities hope that it will accommodate up to 500,000 passengers per year, especially tourists attracted by the natural park Yading often called the last Shangri-La, located 120 miles away.

But this new altitude record will not last long: Airport Nagqu in the province of Tibet, is located 4436 meters above sea level, just over 300 kilometers north-east of Lhasa - to of flight flies. Begun in 2011, its construction budget of $ 260 million is expected to be completed next year.

These airports are part of the great Chinese project to build 97 platforms by 2020 in the country, so that 80% of the country's population is less than 90 minutes from the nearest plane. Five are already open in Tibet, Lhasa, Chamdo, Shigatse, Shiquanhe (Ali) and Lingzhi, while the Tibetan Plateau also has those Dewuen (Shangri-la Airport) and Xining.