On December 23, China Southern Airlines officially opened the Urumqi Tashkurgan round-trip route, marking the official opening of the westernmost airport in China and the first high plateau airport in Xinjiang, Tashkurgan Hongqilafu Airport. After the airport is opened, it is estimated that the annual passenger throughput will be 160,000 person times and the cargo throughput will be 400 tons. It is understood that according to CAAC regulations, airports with an altitude of 2438 meters and above are plateau airports. Hongqilafu Airport is located in Tashkolgan Tajik Autonomous County, with an elevation of 3258.4m. It is the first high plateau airport in Xinjiang, and is also the westernmost civil transport airport in China, with the highest altitude and the longest runway in Xinjiang. As Tashkolgan Hongqilafu Airport is put into operation, the number of operating airports in Xinjiang has reached 25, which continues to rank first among all provinces, districts and cities in China. After the opening of Urumqi Tashkurgan route, the history of no flight in Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County officially ended, shortening the travel time of local people. Passengers can transfer to Changsha, Chongqing, Xi'an, Hohhot, Guangzhou and other hot cities via Urumqi. (Liu Xinshe)