Kangding Airport


Kangding Airport is an airport serving Kangding, the capital of Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in western Sichuan Province, China. It is located northwest of the city center. Construction of the airport began in September 2006 and the airport started operation on April 26, 2009.
Situated at above sea level, Kangding Airport is the third highest airport in the world behind Daocheng Yading Airport and Qamdo Bamda Airport, and just higher than Ngari Gunsa Airport.

Airlines and destinations

Incidents

Two China Eastern pilots had their licences revoked and an assistant captain was suspended from flying after a failed landing at Kangding Airport on 1 May 2016. They were attempting to land an Airbus 319 on a scheduled flight MU5443 from Chengdu to Kangding. An attempt was made to land during bad weather, with the aircraft hitting the ground outside the runway at great speed, almost causing a serious crash. The aircraft suffered damage to its landing gear and tail and returned to Chengdu. The co-pilot was seated in the cabin, with the assistant captain in the cockpit, however two experienced captains are required to be at the controls when landing at this high altitude airport.