Air trips to Tibet will be cheaper as a result of privately owned airlines and more competition. Haikou-based Hainan Airlines inaugurated its first regular flight from northwest China's Xi'an to Lhasa last week, establishing itself as a player in a market once monopolized by four state-owned airlines. The 137 passengers on the inaugural flight enjoyed discounted tickets, which used to be a rarity on flights to the mountain-locked Himalayan region. However, discounted tickets will not always be available, because it all depends on market demand, according to sources from Hainan Airlines.

China Daily