Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport

Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport
Summary
Airport type Public
Operator Airport Authority of India
Serves Leh
Location Leh, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Elevation AMSL 3,256 m / 10,682 ft
Coordinates 34°08′09″N 077°32′47″E / 34.13583°N 77.54639°E / 34.13583; 77.54639Coordinates: 34°08′09″N 077°32′47″E / 34.13583°N 77.54639°E / 34.13583; 77.54639
Map
IXL
IXL
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
07/25 2,752 9,028 Asphalt
Statistics (April 2016 - March 2017)
Passenger movements 563,800 (Increase38.0%)
Aircraft movements 4,904 (Increase42.8%)
Cargo tonnage 1,665 (Increase15.5%)
Source: AAI[1] [2] [3]

Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IATA: IXL, ICAO: VILH) is an airport in Leh, Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is one of the highest commercial airports in the world at 3,256 m (10,682 ft) above mean sea level. The airport is named after 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, an Indian statesman and monk, whose Spituk Monastery is in direct vicinity to the airfield.

Due to the presence of mountain winds in the afternoon, all flights take off and land in the morning. The approach is challenging as it is unidirectional and has high terrain towards the eastern end of the airport. Airport security is tight with Indian Army patrols and no hand baggage is allowed on flights. Due to its location in between the Mountain ranges of Himalayas the approach to Leh Airport has been named and nominated as one of the world's most scenic approaches which makes this airport a scenic airport to land into and take off from.

In February 2016, Indian Air Force handed the airport to Airport Authority of India. AAI will expand it for civilian purposes. [4]

Airlines and destinations

Kushok Bakula Rinpoche Airport (IXL) and Himalayas, Leh, Jammu & Kashmir, India
AirlinesDestinations
Air IndiaChandigarh, Delhi, Jammu, Srinagar
GoAirDelhi, Mumbai, Srinagar
Jet AirwaysDelhi
VistaraDelhi

References

  1. ↑ "Traffic News for the month of March 2017: Annexure-III" (PDF). Airports Authority of India. 27 April 2017. p. 3. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  2. ↑ "Traffic News for the month of March 2017: Annexure-III" (PDF). Airports Authority of India. 27 April 2017. p. 3. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  3. ↑ "Traffic News for the month of March 2017: Annexure-IV" (PDF). Airports Authority of India. 27 April 2017. p. 3. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  4. ↑ IAF to vacate Leh airport, to develop base at alternate site
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