By Y. Sulaiman l eTN Asia

China-based airlines flying into Lhasa have added more flights in anticipation of the tourism boom following the opening of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway service, reports new wires from China.

Airline operators are predicting that the opening of the railway line will increase the number of tourists to Tibet.   "We are looking at passengers who enter by train to leave by air," said Air China vice manager Chen Xin.  "Increased tourist arrivals into Tibet should bring new customers to the airlines."

Air China, which has monopolized air travel in and out of Tibet for the last forty years will now offer 10 flights a day, using three Airbus 330s on the Chengdu-Lhasa route.

Privately-owned Hainan Airlines made its inaugural flight to Tibet last Wednesday, on the newly opened Xi'an-Lhasa route, selling discounted tickets. “It’s a business strategy depending on market conditions,” the airline said.

China Eastern Airlines, which opened its Shanghai-Xi'an-Lhasa route, will use three Airbus 319s on the route by the end of the year.

Until the entry of Hainan Airlines offering discounted tickets, the average ticket price have remained high due to planes specially adapted for flights to the region, and carrying more fuel for its return flight from Tibet.

A survey done by Tibet's tourism bodies have estimated 85 percent of mid to low income Tibetans plan to travel.

The Tourism Bureau of Tibet has projected opening of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway will see   the number of tourists rise by 400,000 per year.