Not just Leh, Ladakh could get two new airports soon; Thoise may start flights by December and Kargil later

Ladakh could soon expand its air connectivity beyond Leh, with authorities working to start commercial flights from Thoise by December and exploring civilian operations from Kargil later. The move could make some of the Union territory's remote areas easier to reach and give a boost to tourism and local economic activity.

Ladakh currently has only one airport serving commercial flights, at Leh. Authorities now want to use existing infrastructure at Thoise and Kargil to open up more air links in the strategically important border region, according to a report by The Times of India.

Thoise may get commercial flights by December

Authorities have set their sights on starting commercial flights from Thoise, in Ladakh's Nubra Valley, by December.


At a meeting chaired by Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena at Ladakh Bhavan in New Delhi, the Indian Air Force approved five acres of land for a new civil terminal at Thoise.

The runway is also undergoing recarpeting work, which officials expect to complete by November. Once the infrastructure work and other requirements are ready, authorities hope to begin civilian flights from the airfield.

The planned services could make travel to parts of Nubra Valley considerably easier. Thoise also provides access to destinations such as Turtuk and the Siachen area, which currently require long journeys by road after travellers arrive in Ladakh.

Kargil could follow later

Officials are also looking at Kargil, which already has an airstrip used for defence operations.

Instead of immediately announcing commercial flights, authorities have decided to assess the existing infrastructure and examine the technical and operational requirements for civilian services.

The assessment will determine what changes Kargil needs before it can handle commercial passengers.

The government wants to move quickly on both projects. Officials from the Defence Ministry, Indian Air Force, Airports Authority of India and Ladakh administration attended the meeting and discussed infrastructure, regulatory and operational issues.

The administration said the two projects could significantly improve connectivity in the border areas.

More air access could help tourism

The proposed flights could also change how tourists reach some of Ladakh's more remote destinations.

Saxena said commercial flights from Thoise and Kargil could help unlock the tourism potential of places including Kargil, Drass, Turtuk and the Siachen Base Camp.

For residents of Nubra and surrounding areas, a commercial air service could also provide a faster alternative to long road journeys.

Better connectivity could benefit more than tourism. The administration expects improved air access to support local businesses, employment and economic activity in areas that remain relatively difficult to reach.

Ladakh has already sought civilian flights from Kargil

The push for Kargil flights has also received support from local representatives.

In March, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council-Kargil chief executive councillor Mohd Jaffar Akhoon and Ladakh MP Mohmad Haneefa met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi and sought civilian flights from Kargil.

They proposed starting operations with smaller aircraft as an interim measure.

If the plans move ahead, Ladakh would gain more commercial air links beyond Leh, giving both residents and visitors additional ways to reach different parts of the Union territory.

(With TOI inputs)