Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport

Kushok Bakula Rimpochhe Airport कुशोक बकुला रिम्पोचे हवाई अड्डा
Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochhe Airport
IATA: IXL – ICAO: VILH
Summary
Airport type	Public
Operator	Airport Authority of India
Serves	Leh
Location	Leh, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Elevation AMSL	10,682 ft / 3,256 m
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 Show map of Jammu and Kashmir IXL Show map of India
Runways
Direction Length Surface m ft 07/25 2,752 9,028 Asphalt
Statistics (2014)
Passenger movements 394,005 (19.39%) Aircraft movements 3,376 Cargo tonnage 1,247
Source: AAI,[1][2][3]

Kushok Bakula Rimpochhe Airport (IATA: IXL, ICAO: VILH) is an airport in Leh, Jammu and Kashmir, India.^[4] 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.

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.

In February 2016, Indian Air Force handed the airport to Airport Authority of India. AAI will expand it for civilian purposes. ^[5]

Airport terminal

Airlines and destinations

References