Target dates set for December 2026 launch at Nubra Valley airport; joint inspection at Kargil scheduled for September 1
New Delhi, August 21: Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena chaired a high-level review meeting at Ladakh Bhavan with officials from the Ministry of Defence, Indian Air Force, Airports Authority of India (AAI) and UT Ladakh Administration to assess progress on commercial civil flight operations from Thoise Airport (Nubra Valley) and Kargil Airport.
At Thoise, the IAF has approved 5 acres of land for a new civil terminal. Runway recarpeting is on track for completion by November, with civil operations targeted from December 2026 using a refurbished chartered flight terminal. The AAI has been directed to submit infrastructure requirements to the UT Administration, with the Public Works Department to carry out refurbishment.
At Kargil, a joint inspection by the IAF, AAI and Ministry of Civil Aviation is scheduled for September 1 in the LG’s presence to evaluate readiness for civilian operations.
Officials said the initiative aligns with the goal of enhancing regional connectivity and would boost tourism to Nubra, Turtuk, Siachen Base Camp, Kargil and Drass.
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