Civil Aviation Minister K. Ramamohan Naidu said that talks are on with airlines to start civilian flights to Kargil under the UDAN project. If any airline is ready to provide connectivity from Kargil to Srinagar or Jammu, we will discuss with them the further process to operate civilian flights.

The central government is trying to start civil flight services for Kargil. Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu gave this information. He said that only 19-seater aircraft can be operated for the airport there. In the Lok Sabha, he told that only 19-seater aircraft can be operated at Kargil airport keeping in mind the runway, landing and take-off protocols.

Preparations to start civilian flights to Kargil
Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu said that talks are going on with airlines to start civilian flights to Kargil under the UDAN project. He said, “We are making efforts to start civilian flights to Kargil. If any airline is ready to provide connectivity from Kargis to Srinagar or Jammu, then we will talk to them on the further process to operate civilian flights.” The minister said that he wants to work on this as soon as possible. Let us tell you that UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik) is the regional air connectivity scheme of the Civil Aviation Ministry.

A team of officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Indian Air Force and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) visited Wakha Kargil, Turtuk, Diskit, Nyoma and Padum/Zanskar in 2021. These sites were visited for the construction of airports in the Union Territory of Ladakh. However, none of these sites were found suitable for the construction of airports. On the request of the Ladakh administration, the AAI has appointed the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to explore the feasibility of operating Boeing 737 and Airbus 320 aircraft at Kargil Airport. ICAO said that the operation of such aircraft is not possible on the existing runway.