(a) whether there is any proposal to expand Leh Airport for providing more parking bays for civil aircrafts and improvement of amenities and facilities to passengers;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the funds sanctioned for this purpose;
(c) whether the Government proposes to upgrade the airport to international airport and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) if not, whether the Government is likely to consider upgradation of this airport in near future and if so, the details thereof?
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Dr Mahesh Sharma)
(a) & (b) : Yes, Madam. Leh Airport belongs to Indian Air Force (IAF), Ministry of Defence and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) maintains a Civil Enclave for Civil Operations. AAI has proposed to construct a new Terminal Building to cater for 600 peak hour passengers for which 11.8 acres of land has been requisitioned from IAF.
(c) & (d) : In the draft Civil Aviation Policy formulated by the Government, it is proposed to promote the six metro airports at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Hyderabad as international hubs to serve as the main access points for international travel to and
from India, as this is essential for developing domestic civil aviation.
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