Question : Development of KBR Airport

(a) whether the Government has any proposal to establish customs office in Kushok Bakula Rimpochee (KBR) Airport in Leh, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(b) whether the Government proposes to operate KBR Airport in Leh as International Airport in Ladakh;
(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(d) whether the new Terminal building of KBR Airport in Leh has any provision of Cargo Terminal; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD))

(a): Kushok Bakula Rimpochee (KBR) Airport, Leh is a domestic airport. An Airport is notified as Customs Airport by Ministry of Finance in accordance with Customs Act, 1962. However, at present, no such proposal is under consideration.
(b) & (c): Declaration and operation of an airport as an International Airport depends upon the traffic potential and the demand from airlines for operation of international flights, bilateral Air Services Agreements, besides provision of Ground Lighting facilities, Instrument Landing System, adequate runway length, Immigration, Health and Animal & Plant Quarantine services etc.;
(d) & (e): The proposal to make provision for cargo at New Terminal Building of KBR Airport, Leh is under planning stage. However, Domestic Air Cargo movement is being facilitated through interim building which has an annual handling capacity of 22,161 Metric Tonnes (MT).
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