193 nm UV laser pulses induced air ionization and the plasma channel conductivity caused by the pulses were investigated experimentally.The ionization threshold of 193 nm laser pulses is found to be about 9.58×109 W/cm2.A plasma conducting channel about 2 meters long with a resistance of 109 Ω in magnitude was established with nanosecond 193 nm UV laser pulses.The lifetime of the plasma channel is about 30 μs.