As planned, during this demonstration flight, the ARJ21 aircraft would take Chengdu of Sichuan, Xining of Qinghai and Lhasa of Xizang as the bases and fly to a number of high plateau airports in Xizang, Sichuan, Qinghai and Gansu to fully demonstrate the adaptability of ARJ21 aircraft to high plateau airports and high plateau routes, the adaptability of airport ground service equipment and the applicability of special flight procedures, so as to better and more comprehensively meet the requirements of operation in high-altitude regions. 

 

As specified by the Civil Aviation Administration of China, airports with an elevation of 2,438 meters and above are high plateau airports. There are 25 high plateau airports in China, accounting for more than 50% of the total number of high plateau airports (with a runway length of more than 2,000 meters) in the world. Plateau regions have thin air, complex terrain and changeable weather, which place very high requirements on aircraft performance, crew qualification and operation supporting capability. ARJ21 aircraft of Chengdu Airlines started the first high plateau scheduled flight on July 2nd, 2024 to fly regular round trips between Kashi and Taxkorgan of Xinjiang. Up to now, the flight has been operated well, bringing convenience to local people's travel. 

 

In recent years, with the development of China's economy and society, the demand for civil air transport in plateau regions has been gradually increased, and the demand for aircraft and routes adapted to the high plateau airports has also been increased day by day. At the beginning of the design of ARJ21 aircraft, the operational conditions in western China were considered, the plateau performance was taken as an important index, and demonstration flight was carried out in Yunnan, Xinjiang and other places. The demonstration flight around Qinghai-Xizang Plateau would further demonstrate the plateau operation performance of aircraft, and lay a foundation for operating the China-made commercial aircraft in more high plateau routes and accelerating the implementation of the "border express". (Photographer: Wang Jiliang)