Kashmir Airport: Does It Exist?

is there an airport in kashmir

Kashmir has several airports, including Srinagar International Airport, Jammu Airport, and Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport. Srinagar International Airport, also known as Sheikh-ul-Alam International Airport, is located about 12 km from the city of Srinagar and has been designated as an international airport since 2005. Jammu Airport is a domestic airport located 8 km from the city of Jammu. Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport is another domestic airport serving the city of Leh. In addition, there are plans to develop 11 airports in Jammu and Kashmir and two airports in Ladakh under the UDAN scheme, which aims to improve regional air connectivity and boost tourism in the region.

Characteristics Values
Number of airports in Kashmir 3
Name of airports Jammu Airport, Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Sheikh-ul-Alam International Airport (also known as Srinagar Airport)
Location of Sheikh-ul-Alam International Airport 12km from the city of Srinagar
Owner of Sheikh-ul-Alam International Airport Indian Air Force
Operator of Sheikh-ul-Alam International Airport Airports Authority of India
Year of international status 2005
Year of renaming to Sheikh-ul-Alam International Airport 2015
Area of the terminal 25,000 m2 (270,000 sq ft)
Planned area of the expanded terminal 63,000 m2 (680,000 sq ft)
Cost of expansion ₹1,500 crore (US$170 million)
Number of parking bays 9
Number of parking spaces 250
Number of runways 1
Length of runway 3,685 metres
Width of runway 46 metres
Airports near Srinagar Airport Gali, Gold, Khan, Kundan, Mangat, Morgan, Nila, Pulwama, Santnagar, Shalamar, Anantnag, Arch, Balhama, Banihal, Bawan

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Srinagar Airport

The airport can be accessed by government buses, taxis, and car rental agencies. It provides a car park with 250 spaces, and a paid bus service operated by the government connects the airport to the tourist reception centre near Lal Chowk. Additionally, the Airports Authority of India offers a free bus service between the terminal and the airport entrance gate, located about one kilometre away.

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Jammu Airport

The airport's 14,500-square-metre (156,000 sq ft) terminal can only handle domestic flights. It has 5 gates and 20 check-in desks. The terminal offers various amenities, including a store selling traditional packaged food items, a shoe shop, a restaurant, a souvenir store, and an information desk for pilgrims travelling to the Vaishno Devi temple. Bus, taxi, and car rental services provide transportation to the city. Jammu Airport also provides amazing facilities for passengers, including baggage services such as trolleys and wheelchairs. The availability of duty-free shops, cafes, and restaurants enhances the overall airport experience.

In recent years, the infrastructure and facilities of Jammu Airport have undergone significant development to offer improved comfort and convenience to passengers. The airport authorities have introduced new projects and services to cater to the advancement of the airport. This includes the extension of the runway by 1,300 feet and the installation of a runway approach light system, enabling night flight operations. In September 2021, Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced plans for a new terminal with a 45,000-square-metre area and an investment worth rupees 700 crores.

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Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport

Kashmir has two airports: Jammu Airport and Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, a domestic airport serving the city of Leh. Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport is named after the respected Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, whose 19th incarnation was considered a significant Indian and Ladakhi statesman. The airport is situated at 3,256 m (10,682 ft) above sea level, making it the highest commercial airport in India and one of the highest in the world.

The airport has a single asphalt runway, measuring 9,036 ft (2,754 m) in length. Due to its location in the Himalayas, the approach to Leh Airport has been named one of the world's most scenic. The airport's high altitude and mountain winds in the afternoon mean that all flights operate in the morning, and the approach is challenging due to its unidirectionality and higher terrain to the east.

The airport is easily accessible, located approximately 5 kilometres from the bus stand and 5.5 kilometres from the Leh railway station. Taxis and buses are readily available outside the airport, providing convenient transportation options.

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Jammu and Kashmir's 11 airports

Jammu and Kashmir, a union territory in the northernmost Indian subcontinent, is known for its breathtaking landscapes, diverse culture, and rich history. The region is surrounded by majestic Himalayan mountains and comprises two distinct regions: Jammu, known for its temples and vibrant culture, and the Kashmir Valley, renowned for its picturesque lakes and pristine valleys.

Jammu and Kashmir are well-connected by air, with several airports facilitating both domestic and international flights. The prominent airports in the region include the Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport in Srinagar and the Jammu Airport in Jammu.

Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport, also known as Srinagar Airport, is located approximately 10-15 kilometres from the city of Srinagar. It serves as the primary gateway to the Kashmir Valley, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains during landings and take-offs. The airport consists of a single-passenger terminal that handles both international and domestic flights and is served by several major airlines, including Air India, Indigo, SpiceJet, GoAir, and Vistara.

Jammu Airport, officially known as Jammu Civil Enclave (IATA: IXJ, ICAO: VIJU), is a domestic airport serving Jammu, the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir. It is located about 8 kilometres from the city centre and offers flights through airlines like Air India, Alliance Air, and IndiGo. The airport has recently undergone expansion and now features a new terminal and an extended runway to accommodate heavier aircraft and night flights.

In addition to the major airports in Srinagar and Jammu, there are several other airports in the region. These include Chamb, Chushal, Akhnur, Fukche, Gurex, Jhangar, Miran Sahib, Poonch, Panzgam, Rajouri, and Udhampur. These airports have been chosen for development under the central government's regional air connectivity scheme, UDAN, to improve air connectivity and encourage growth in the tourism sector.

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UDAN scheme

Kashmir has three airports: Srinagar International Airport, Jammu Airport, and Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport. The first is located 12km from Srinagar city and mainly serves Hajj flights. The latter two are domestic airports serving Jammu and Leh, respectively.

In addition, there are several other airports in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Under the fourth round of the UDAN scheme, the Indian civil aviation ministry has prioritised developing 11 airports in Jammu and Kashmir and two airports in Ladakh. The UDAN scheme, which translates to "Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik", is a regional air connectivity initiative by the central government. The aviation ministry has already allocated 688 routes to different air operators. The 11 airports in Jammu and Kashmir are Chamb, Chushal, Akhnur, Fukche, Gurex, Jhangar, Miran Sahib, Poonch, Panzgam, Rajouri, and Udhampur. The two airports in Ladakh are located at Kargil and Thoise.

The UDAN 4.0 scheme was open for initial prospects until January 1, 2020, and for counter proposals until January 13, 2020. The government also offered additional feasibility gap funding of around 25% to participating airlines under UDAN 4.0. The scheme aims to improve air connectivity and encourage growth in the tourism sector.

There is also another scheme called the Udaan Scheme, a Special Industry Initiative (SII) for the state of Jammu and Kashmir. This scheme is funded by the Ministry of Home Affairs and implemented by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). It aims to make educated youth in Jammu and Kashmir employable by providing them with skills development opportunities and exposure to corporate India. The initiative also seeks to give Indian corporates access to the talent pool in Jammu and Kashmir.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, there are several airports in Kashmir. The Sheikh-ul-Alam International Airport, also known as Srinagar Airport, is located about 12 km (7.5 mi) from the city of Srinagar. It has been designated as an international airport since 2005 and serves both domestic and international flights. Jammu Airport and Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport are also located in Kashmir and serve domestic flights.

Srinagar International Airport can be reached by government buses, cabs, taxis, and car rentals. The airport is well-connected to the city, and various transport options are available outside the terminal.

Yes, you can also travel to Kashmir by bus or train. There are government and private bus services that connect cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, and Jammu to Srinagar. By train, you would need to go to the Jammu Tawi Railway Station in Jammu, which is well-connected to major Indian cities.

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