Ali – Gunsa Airport Guide
NGQ/ ZUAL
Location
Ali – Gunsa Airport is located in the remote Ngari Prefecture of Tibet, China, at an altitude exceeding 4,200 meters. It lies close to the sacred Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, making it an essential gateway for pilgrims and travelers visiting these important religious and cultural sites.
Passenger Traffic in Ali – Gunsa Airport NGQ/ ZUAL
Ali – Gunsa Airport, also known as Ngari Gunsa Airport, plays a vital role in regional connectivity due to its proximity to the sacred sites of Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. In 2021, the airport recorded 190,056 passengers and 2,535 aircraft movements, underscoring its importance as a gateway for pilgrims and tourists. Despite its remote and high-altitude location, the airport continues to handle steady traffic, driven by spiritual tourism and regional travel needs.
Airport Facilities at Ali – Gunsa Airport NGQ/ ZUAL
VIP lounges,
Shuttle services to Mount Kailash,
Range of airline connections
Ali – Gunsa Airport is one of the world’s highest commercial airports, located in the remote Ngari Prefecture of Tibet, China. Opened in 2010, the airport sits at an altitude of 4,274 meters and was built to improve accessibility to this geographically isolated region. It plays a crucial role in supporting both local development and strategic connectivity, especially for travelers heading to the sacred Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. Despite its extreme altitude, the airport is equipped with advanced navigation systems and a 4,500-meter runway suitable for high-altitude operations.
Ali – Gunsa Airport Terminals :
Ali – Gunsa Airport features a single, high-altitude terminal built to accommodate both civilian and limited regional flights. Though compact, the terminal is outfitted with essential travel services including check-in, baggage claim, and waiting areas. Due to its extreme elevation, the terminal is specifically designed to ensure operational safety and comfort for passengers traveling to remote western Tibet.
Ali – Gunsa Airport Size :
Ali – Gunsa Airport occupies around 4.5 square kilometers (450 hectares), a sizable footprint considering its remote, high-altitude location in Tibet. Built at over 4,200 meters above sea level, the airport required careful land planning to support a 4,500-meter runway and single terminal. While not large by global standards, its land use is significant for its operational environment and supports both civilian and limited military use in this remote region.
Airlines Operating in Ali – Gunsa Airport NGQ/ ZUAL
- • Air Algérie
- • Tassili Airlines
- • Turkish Airlines
- • Lufthansa
- • Air France
- • Qatar Airways
- • Emirates
- • Saudia
- • EgyptAir
- • Royal Air Maroc
- • Tunisair
- • Iberia
- • Vueling
- • Alitalia (ITA Airways)
- • British Airways
- • TUI fly
- • Pegasus Airlines.