Airplanes often avoid flying directly over Tibet primarily due to the extremely high altitude of the Tibetan Plateau.
Here's a breakdown of the reasons:
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High Altitude and Thin Air: The Tibetan Plateau has an average elevation exceeding 14,800 feet (4,500 meters) above sea level. This extreme altitude results in significantly thinner air.
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Engine Performance: As mentioned in the provided reference:
- Aircraft engines are designed to compress air for combustion.
- At high altitudes with thinner air, engines struggle to generate sufficient power. The air density is much lower, which makes it difficult for planes to maintain lift and perform optimally.
In summary, the combination of high altitude and thin air over Tibet presents significant challenges to aircraft engine performance and overall flight safety. This is the main reason why airlines prefer routes that avoid flying directly over the region.
