Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport | |||||||||||
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 Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh (Ladakh) | |||||||||||
| Summary | |||||||||||
| Airport type | Public | ||||||||||
| Owner | Indian Air Force | ||||||||||
| Operator | Airports Authority of India | ||||||||||
| Serves | Leh | ||||||||||
| Location | Leh,Ladakh,India | ||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 3,256 m / 10,682 ft | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 34°08′09″N077°32′43″E / 34.13583°N 77.54528°E /34.13583; 77.54528 | ||||||||||
| Website | Leh Airport | ||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||
  IXL Location of airport in Ladakh Show map of Ladakh IXL IXL (India) Show map of India | |||||||||||
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| Runways | |||||||||||
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| Statistics (April 2023 - March 2024) | |||||||||||
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Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IATA:IXL,ICAO:VILH) is amilitary airfield of theIndian Air Force as well asdomestic airport servingLeh, the capital ofLadakh,India. Situated at 3,256 m (10,682 ft) above mean sea level, it is the highest commercial airport in India and one of thehighest in the world. The airport is named after19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, aBuddhist monk whoseSpituk Monastery is in vicinity to the airfield. Due to its location in between theHimalayas, the approach to Leh Airport is one of the most challenging and scenic.
The airport was established in 1961 as a military air-strip for landing of military transport aircraft of theIndian Air Force and other nations, such as theLockheed C-130 Hercules and theAntonov AN-12, for supporting the troops of theIndian Army in the forward areas ofLadakh. Civilian flights began later, after the1962 Indo-China War. A separate terminal building was constructed for handling civilian passengers in 1985.[4] In 2016, the airport was to be handed over toAirports Authority of India, which will expand it for civilian use;[5] however, the airport remains a premier and strategic airfield of the Indian Air Force. TheMinistry of Defence clarified that a portion of land will be earmarked for a construction of a new terminal and the airport will continue to serve military flights.[6] Situated at 3,256 m (10,682 ft) above mean sea level, it is the highest commercial airport in India and one of thehighest in the world.[7]
In 2016, the Indian Air Force allocated 11 acres (4.5 ha) of land for the construction of a new civilian terminal.[8] The new terminal covering an area of 19,000 m2 (200,000 sq ft) along withaero bridges was constructed at a cost of₹2 billion (US$23 million).[9]
In 2019, the Airports Authority of India planned to construct a new passenger terminal beside the current terminal at a cost of₹480 crore (US$55 million) to cater to increasing traffic. It would be equipped with all modern and essential passenger-friendly facilities, will have 18 check-in counters, in-line baggage handling system and would be capable of serving 2 million passengers per annum.[10] Construction of the new terminal began in February 2019 and was expected to be completed by 2023.[11]
The airport has oneasphalt runway of 9,036 ft (2,754 m) in length.[12] Due to the presence of mountain winds in the afternoon, all flights operate in the morning and the approach is challenging as it is unidirectional with a higher terrain towards the eastern end of the airport.[13] Due to its location in between the Himalayas, the approach to Leh Airport has been named as one of the world's most scenic approaches.[14]
| Airlines | Destinations | Refs. |
|---|---|---|
| Air India | Chandigarh,Delhi,Jammu,Srinagar | [15] |
| IndiGo | Chandigarh,Delhi,Jammu Seasonal:Mumbai[16] | [17] |
| SpiceJet | Delhi Seasonal:Mumbai | [18] |
| Airlines | Destinations | Refs. |
|---|---|---|
| SpiceXpress | Delhi | [19] |
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