Opened for civilian operations on 30 October 2010 after decades of military use, the airport sits at an elevation of 3,782 m (12,408 ft) above sea level. Its main concrete runway measures 5,000 m (16,404 ft) in length, surpassing every other active civil runway in Asia. The airport also has a secondary 3,000 m runway used primarily for military operations, reflecting its dual civil-military role.

The exceptional runway length is a direct response to the airport's extreme altitude. At nearly 3,800 m above sea level, the thin air significantly reduces engine thrust and wing lift, forcing aircraft to accelerate over much greater distances before becoming airborne. A 5-km runway enables commercial aircraft to operate more safely and efficiently under these demanding conditions while supporting larger aircraft that would otherwise face payload restrictions. Because of its unique engineering and operational environment, Shigatse Peace Airport is widely regarded as one of the world's most remarkable high-altitude aviation facilities.

Beyond its engineering significance, the airport serves as a vital transportation gateway for western Tibet. It connects Shigatse with major Chinese cities including Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi'an and Beijing, improving accessibility to one of the country's most remote regions while supporting tourism, trade and regional development. Since the retirement of the former 5,500 m runway at Qamdo Bamda Airport, Shigatse Peace Airport has become the airport with the longest operational civil runway in Asia, while its 5,000 m runway is also among the longest public airport runways anywhere in the world.

According to the Internet