In its bid to promote Tibet and the adjacent Mount Everest region as an international tourism hub, China conducted a test flight of Airbus A 319 passenger plane at Gunsa Airport. It will be formally opened for traffic after a month.<br/><br/>Gunsa, the fourth airport built at Tibet is regarded as the roof of the world. Recently China has unveiled plans to open up Tibet for international tourists in a big way and has built necessary infrastructure to accommodate large influx of tourists.<br/><br/>The new tourist promotion included opening up Mount Everest on Tibet side for international climbing expeditions.<br/><br/>After the test flight, the crew invited a group of Tibetan farmers and herdsman aboard the plane for a brief flight over their hometown. <br/><br/>The Vice general manager Li Yunchuan said that Once the new airport becomes operational, the company will launch a new air route from Chengdu to Ngari via Lhasa on June 28.<br/><br/>Gunsa Airport in Ngari sits more than 4,200 meters above sea level and has a 4,500-meter-long runway.<br/><br/>Its annual throughput capacity is expected to reach 120,000 passengers by 2020.<br/><br/>Construction of the airport began in May 2007 and it cost an estimated 241.22 million dollars.