Nubra Civil Airport terminal likely to open by December

Srinagar: Ladakh plans to launch civilian flights from Thoise Airport in Nubra Valley by December, lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena said on Saturday. Besides, a joint inspection is scheduled for September 1 to assess civil operation readiness at Kargil airport.

Saxena chaired a meeting with officials from the defence ministry, Indian Air Force, Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Ladakh administration in Delhi to review the preparedness for commercial civilian flight operations at Thoise and Kargil airports.

"The Indian Air Force approved an allotment of 5 acres of land for construction of a new civil terminal in Nubra. Runway re-carpeting is underway for a November completion deadline. We are targeting commencement of civil operations by December 2026, from an old chartered flight terminal at Thoise Airport, after refurbishing it," Saxena said.


For Kargil airport, a joint inspection will be conducted with the air force, AAI and civil aviation ministry on September 1 in the presence of the lieutenant governor to assess whether the airport is ready for civilian flights.

"Besides fulfilling the Prime Minister's vision of boosting the region's connectivity and inclusive development of UT (Union Territory of ) Ladakh, the flight operation at these airports will further unlock the optimum tourism potential in border areas like Turtuk, Siachen Base Camp, Kargil and Drass," said Saxena.