Kargil Airport

Kargil Airport
Summary
Airport type Military
Operator Indian Air Force
Serves Kargil
Location Kargil, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Elevation AMSL 2,927 m / 9,604 ft
Coordinates 34°31′22″N 076°09′18″E / 34.52278°N 76.15500°E / 34.52278; 76.15500Coordinates: 34°31′22″N 076°09′18″E / 34.52278°N 76.15500°E / 34.52278; 76.15500
Map
VI65
Location in Jammu and Kashmir
VI65
VI65 (India)
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
02/20 1,830 6,004 Asphalt

Kargil Airport is a military airfield in Kargil district 6 km away from Kargil and 210 km from Srinagar. It is one of the 4 airports in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. It was built by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) at a cost of 350 million Rupees, initially for civilian use but was transferred to the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 2003 after it was damaged in the Kargil War in 1999.[1][2] The civil enclave at the airfield is managed by the State Government.

The IAF plans to convert the airport into a full-fledged air force base by 2016.[3] The Air Force uses its An-32 aircraft for an air courier service that transports civilians from Kargil to Srinagar and Jammu during the harsh winter season.[4][5][6]

The airport is a much debated issue for local politicians as well as the public who pursue the point that the airport should be thrown open to commercial civilian services.[7][8] Air Mantra became the first ever commercial company to land a civilian aircraft at the airport when it landed a 17-seater aircraft with dignitaries including Chief Minister of the state Omar Abdullah on board in January, 2012.[9]

References

  1. ↑ Ministry of defence to run Kargil airport - DAWN.COM
  2. ↑ A Full-Fledged Air Base In Kargil And Its Implication For India – Analysis
  3. ↑ Kargil to be a major Indian Air Force base
  4. ↑ Kargil air courier service takes off Lastupdate:- Thu, 13 Dec 2012 18:30:00 GMT GreaterKashmir.com
  5. ↑ Air courier service from Kargil begins operation - Hindustan Times
  6. ↑ Kargil Courier Service
  7. ↑ MATTERS UNDER RULE-377: Regarding Need For Early Commissioning Of ... on 22 November, 2000
  8. ↑ Operate air service to Kargil Akhoon to CA Minister Lastupdate:- Fri, 12 Aug 2011 18:30:00 GMT GreaterKashmir.com
  9. ↑ Civilian flight takes off from Kargil airport | Business Line



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