Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport
Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport | |||||||||||
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| Summary | |||||||||||
| Airport type | Public/Military | ||||||||||
| Owner | Indian Air Force | ||||||||||
| Operator | Airports Authority of India | ||||||||||
| Serves | Leh | ||||||||||
| Location | Leh, Ladakh, India | ||||||||||
| Opened | 1985 | ||||||||||
| Built | 1961 | ||||||||||
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) | ||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 3,256 m / 10,682 ft | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 34°08′09″N 077°32′43″E / 34.13583°N 77.54528°E | ||||||||||
| Website | Leh Airport | ||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||
| Runways | |||||||||||
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| Statistics (April 2024 - March 2025) | |||||||||||
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Source: AAI | |||||||||||
Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IATA: IXL, ICAO: VILH) is a military airfield of the Indian Air Force as well as domestic airport serving Leh, the capital of Ladakh, India. Situated at 3,256 m (10,682 ft) above mean sea level, it is the highest commercial airport in India and one of the highest in the world. The airport is named after 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, a Buddhist monk whose Spituk Monastery is in vicinity to the airfield. Due to its location in between the Himalayas, the approach to the airport is one of the most challenging and scenic.
Beside the existing terminal, a new, larger terminal is being constructed to meet the rapidly rising traffic and demands. Its foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2019, and construction began in the same month. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the project delayed because of labour shortage and restrictions. It is slated to be completed by October 2025. Upon completion of the new terminal, the airport will be the first hybrid airport in the nation powered by geothermal and solar energy together.