19 Dec 2018 | 05:14 PM UTC
China: Heavy snowfall disrupts airport operations in Lhasa (Tibet) December 18
Heavy snowfall strands thousands of passengers in Lhasa (Tibet); continued transportation disruptions expected
Event
Thousands of passengers were stranded in Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA) on Tuesday, December 18, after heavy snowfall in Lhasa (Tibet Autonomous Region) caused the cancelation of dozens of flights. As of Wednesday, December 19, snow on the runway continues to disrupt air operations at LXA, according to Chinese authorities. Further flight cancelations and residual disruptions are expected.
Context
At an elevation of 3,570 meters (11,710 ft), Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA) - one of the highest in the world - provides service to Lhasa, the capital city of the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.
Advice
Individuals traveling through Lhasa and LXA in the coming days are advised to monitor local weather reports and anticipate transportation disruptions. As a reminder, foreign citizens can only travel to the Tibet Autonomous Region on an organised tour and must get a permit first, through a specialized travel agent in China.
