Record #00393Transport archive
Former World-Record Longest Civil Airport Runway
Qamdo Bamda Airport in Tibet, China, opened in 1995 with a 5,500-metre runway once recognized as the world's longest civil airport runway. A new 4,500-metre runway entered service in October 2017; 5,500 metres is a historical record, not the current operational length.
ARCHIVE VISUAL / 01
NOT TO SCALE
Current Record
5500m
Current record value
- Location
- Qamdo Bamda Airport, Tibet, China · Qamdo · Tibet Autonomous Region
- Start date
- 1995
- Record status
- VerifiedView verification details ↗Report an issue
Overview
Archive NoteAt high elevation on the eastern Tibetan Plateau, thin air affects aircraft takeoff distances. The airport's original 5,500-metre runway was recorded as the world's longest civil airport runway.
After deterioration of the older runway, the airport undertook redevelopment. The Tibet regional government confirmed a new 4,500-metre runway entered service on 28 October 2017, so the 5,500-metre length is historic rather than the currently operated runway length.
Record history
1 Milestones- 5500 mQamdo Bamda 5,500-metre runwayQamdo Bamda Airport, Tibet, ChinaCurrent Record
Sources
Evidence & ReferencesVerification basis and limitations
VerifiedThe record conclusion has sufficient verification support.
Basis: direct confirmation by an authority
Guinness records Qamdo Bamda's 5,500-metre civil runway record dating to 1995. The Tibet regional government confirmed a distinct 4,500-metre runway entered service on 28 October 2017. This historical claim does not establish a current operational world record.
- Verification assessment
- 2026-11-05
- Last editorial review
- 2026-11-05
Current Entry identifies the current entry in this archive; it does not establish that the record is still held today.
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