Ladakh's Thoise airport to begin civilian flights by December, Kargil to follow

The Union territory of Ladakh is moving closer to starting commercial flight operations from two key locations, with Thoise in Nubra Valley targeted for December this year, followed by Kargil after necessary assessments. At present, Leh is the only airport in Ladakh handling civilian flights.

At a meeting chaired by Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Friday at Ladakh Bhavan in New Delhi, the Indian Air Force approved five acres of land for a new civil terminal at Thoise. Runway recarpeting at the airfield is underway and is expected to be completed by November, officials said.

For Kargil, which has an airstrip primarily used for defence operations, the authorities decided to evaluate the existing infrastructure, technical requirements, and other aspects necessary for starting civilian flights. The meeting was attended by officials from the defence ministry, the Indian Air Force, the Airports Authority of India, and the Union territory administration.

A government spokesperson said the discussions focused on resolving infrastructure, regulatory, and operational issues to enable an early start to civilian flights from these strategically and socio-economically important airports. “These will significantly boost connectivity in the border areas,” the spokesperson added.

Mr. Saxena stressed the need for time-bound operationalisation of the two airports. He said commercial flights from both points would unlock the immense tourism potential of areas such as Kargil, Drass, Turtuk, and Siachen Base Camp. The flights are expected to provide greater accessibility to residents of Nubra and facilitate travel for visitors to destinations including Turtuk, Siachen, and other parts, while supporting tourism and local economic activity.

The push for civilian flights from Kargil dates back to March this year, when Chief Executive Councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council-Kargil, Mohd Jaffar Akhoon, and Ladakh MP Mohmad Haneefa met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi. They sought civilian flights from Kargil and proposed starting small aircraft operations as an interim step.

The development is seen as a significant step towards improving connectivity in the border region, which currently has limited air links. With Leh being the sole commercial airport, residents of areas like Nubra and Kargil often have to undertake long road journeys to reach the nearest major transport hub. The operationalisation of Thoise and Kargil airports is expected to ease travel for locals and open up new opportunities for tourism and trade in the region.

Thoise airfield, located in the Nubra Valley, is strategically important as a supply point near the Siachen Glacier and has been used by the Indian Air Force for defence operations. The approval for a civil terminal there marks a significant move towards integrating the region with the rest of the country through air connectivity.

While the December target for Thoise is ambitious, officials are optimistic that the ongoing work will be completed on schedule. The assessment for Kargil will determine the timeline for its commercial operations, which are expected to commence later. The initiative aligns with the government's broader efforts to improve infrastructure in border areas and enhance the quality of life for residents.