After recent flight disruptions in Ladakh due to the ongoing heatwave, the government is exploring all options to resume air services in the region.
However, only 19-seater aircraft is currently being seen as suitable for civilian flight services to Kargil at the local airport, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu announced on Thursday.
According to recent reports, the “thin air aided by hot and dry weather conditions… caused disruptions,” in several Leh-bound flight services over the last few days.
Naidu was responding to Mohd Haneefa, MP from Ladakh, who had asked about civilian flights for Kargil, which involves a six-hour drive from both Leh and Srinagar.
"Considering the runway at the existing Kargil airport, terrain difficulties, and landing and take-off protocols, only 19-seater aircraft can be operated," Naidu explained.
Possibilities of starting civilian flights to Kargil under the Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) scheme were being explored with various airlines, he added.
An amount of ₹9.2 crore has been sanctioned for the airport, and some electrical work has already been completed.
The Minister stated, "We are making all efforts to start civilian flights to Kargil... if some airlines express readiness to provide connectivity from Kargil to Srinagar or Jammu, we are prepared to complete the remaining work and facilitate civilian services."
During Question Hour Naidu also underlined the government's commitment to commencing services at the earliest opportunity.
In 2021, a multi-disciplinary team comprising officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the Indian Air Force, and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation visited several sites in Ladakh, including Wakha Kargil, Turtuk, Diskit, Nyoma, and Padum/Zanskar, to assess their feasibility for airport construction.
However, Naidu noted, "None of the sites were found suitable."
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