On September 3rd, an air route linking Shigatse, a prefecture-level city of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China and Jinan, the capital of Shandong Province has been opened, according Tibet's Shigatse Peace Airport. Shandong is one of the provinces providing partner assistance to Shigatse. The opening of this route shortens the distance between Shandong and Tibet, making communication easier.
The flight is operated by Airbus 319 aircraft of China Eastern Airlines. The flight number is MU9901 and it stops over in Xi'an. The flight departs from Shigatse at 14:25 p.m. Beijing time and arrives in Jinan at 23:05 p.m. Beijing time every Thursday and Sunday.
Shigatse means "the fertile land" in Tibet for it location in the plain at the confluence of the Yarlung Tsangpo and Nyainchu River. Located at an average elevation in range of 3,840 meters to 4,464 meters, Shigatse is one of the world's highest cities and has the most comprehensive natural landscapes in Tibet.
This air route is the third route opened in Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet, following the routes of Shigatse-Chengdu and Shigatse-Xi'an-Shanghai, further enriching the air route network in Tibet and enhancing the communication level of Shigatse.