Kargil Airport

Kargil Airport (VI65) is primarily a military airfield, and as such, does not currently host regular commercial civilian flights. Therefore, recent traveler reviews and experiences regarding typical airport services like terminal facilities, security wait times, or customs/immigration for commercial operations are unavailable. The airport's history includes an airstrip built for civilian use, which was later transferred to the Indian Air Force (IAF) after being damaged in the Kargil War. The IAF does operate AN-32 aircraft for civilian courier services, mainly during the harsh winter months, to transport civilians between Kargil, Srinagar, and Jammu. There is a significant and long-standing demand from local leaders and residents for the establishment of a fully operational civilian airport to enhance connectivity and boost the region's economy.

What the Region Hopes For (Potential Strengths of a Civilian Airport):

• Enhanced Connectivity: A civilian airport would drastically improve connectivity, especially during winters when road access is often blocked by heavy snowfall, providing crucial links for residents, patients, and students.
• Economic Boost: Local leaders believe a functional civilian airport would significantly improve Kargil's economy by promoting tourism and reducing reliance on road transport. Kargil, with its rich heritage and scenic regions, is seen as having immense tourism potential.
• Reduced Burden on Leh Airport: An operational Kargil airport could alleviate the passenger load on Leh airport during the summer months.
• Strategic Importance: A dedicated civilian airport is considered crucial for both national security and the local population, providing logistical support to the Army due to Kargil's strategic location.

Common Complaints (Challenges and Unmet Demands):

• Lack of Commercial Flights: The primary complaint is the persistent absence of regular commercial civilian flights, despite the airport being included under the UDAN scheme multiple times.
• Infrastructure Constraints: Past assessments by the AAI, IAF, and DGCA in 2021 deemed the terrain unsuitable for large-scale airports, and a 2023 review concluded only 19-seater aircraft could safely operate with existing infrastructure, excluding larger planes.
• Bureaucratic Hurdles/Lack of Feasibility Studies: There's a notable concern that the Ladakh administration has not consistently requested new feasibility studies for a civilian airport, hindering progress.
• Dependence on Military Courier Service: Civilians rely on the IAF's AN-32 courier service during winters, which is viewed as a temporary solution that discourages demands for regular civilian air services.
• Limited Transportation Options: In the absence of civilian air travel, Kargil remains heavily dependent on road connectivity, which is often challenging due to geographical factors and heavy snowfall. While taxi services are available in the broader Kargil region, they connect to other areas like Leh and Srinagar.

In summary, Kargil Airport (VI65) is currently a military facility with limited, specialized civilian operations during winter. While there are no traveler reviews for commercial flights, there is a strong public and political desire for its development into a full-fledged civilian airport, which is seen as vital for the region's connectivity, economic growth, and strategic importance. However, this aspiration is currently hampered by infrastructure limitations and perceived administrative inaction.