(a) whether the Government has any proposal to operate the small flights to Kargil and Nubra in Union Territory of Ladakh;
(b) if so, the details of the air service to be provided for two destinations and the time by which it will be operational;
(c) if not, the reason therefor; and
(d) the feasibility condition of Kargil and Nubra airport?
The Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD))
(a) to (c): Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) - UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) on 21-10-2016 to stimulate regional air connectivity and making air travel affordable to the masses. UDAN is a market driven scheme. The interested airlines based on their assessment of demand on particular routes submit their proposals at the time of bidding under UDAN from time to time. Kargil & Nubra Valley (Thoise) airports in Ladakh (UT) are available in UDAN Document. The following routes connecting Ladakh were awarded to Selected Airline Operators(SAOs) under UDAN.
Kargil To Srinagar
Srinagar To Kargil
Jammu To Kargil
Kargil To Jammu
Thoise To Srinagar
Srinagar To Thoise
Thoise To Chandigarh
Chandigarh To Thoise
However, these routes were cancelled due to non-compliance of contractual agreements by the Selected Airline Operators. The above cancelled routes have been offered for bidding by airlines in the special round under UDAN 4.1. ;
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Additionally, Pawan Hans Limited has deployed 02 Helicopters under the services of Union Territory of Ladakh for connecting the remote areas including Kargil and Nubra.
(d): Kargil airport has been handed over by Airports Authority of India(AAI) to Indian Air Force since 2003. On request of State Government, AAI has engaged International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to explore the feasibility of RNP-AR (Required Navigation Performance Authorization Required) procedures to access the airport. ;
Thoise Airbase is a military airfield in nubra region of Ladakh. AAI has identified 9.40 acres of land for establishment of new civil enclave for UDAN operations. The administration of UT (Ladakh) has been requested to handover the said land to AAI.