ARJ21 completes first high-altitude flight connecting key locations in China's Xinjiang

As of late 2023, China had 24 high plateau airports operated by 12 airlines across various regions including southwest and northwest areas. The new air route reduces travel time between Kashgar City and Tashkurgan County from about six hours by car to roughly one hour by plane.

Tashkurgan County lies on the eastern edge of the Pamir Plateau bordering Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Kashmir. It serves as an autonomous region for the Tajik ethnic group with an average elevation above 4,000 meters.

Before this airport's construction in December 2022, local travelers needed extensive travel arrangements to reach Urumqi from Tashkurgan via bus or train through Kashgar or directly by bus taking up to 22 hours. Now direct flights take approximately two-and-a-half hours.

Chengdu Airlines continues its expansion efforts since May 2023 with three bases established in Turpan, Yining, and Kashgar deploying nine ARJ21 aircraft across Xinjiang serving most regional airports while fostering economic growth through regional aviation links extending into Central Asia.

Recently launched routes include services from Kashgar to Khujand in Tajikistan marking Chengdu Airlines' inaugural extension into Central Asia using ARJ21 aircraft further strengthening ties between China’s Xinjiang region and neighboring countries.