Airport type Public Elevation AMSL 10,682 ft / 3,256 m Code IXL Phone 01982 251 783 | Serves Leh 07/25 2,752 Elevation 3,256 m Yearly aircraft movements 3,376 | |
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Operator Airport Authority of India Location Leh, Jammu and Kashmir, India Address NH 1D, Leh, Jammu and Kashmir 194101 Similar Leh Ladakh Tour Pac, The Grand Dragon Ladakh, LAHDC, Visit Ladakh, Ladakh Travel Co | ||
Goair plane landing on leh kushok bakula rimpochee airport
Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IATA: IXL, ICAO: VILH) is an airport in Leh, Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is one of the highest commercial airports in the world at 3,256 m (10,682 ft) above mean sea level. The airport is named after 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, an Indian statesman and monk.
Due to the presence of mountain winds in the afternoon, all flights take off and land in the morning. The approach is challenging as it is unidirectional and has high terrain towards the eastern end of the airport. Airport security is tight with Indian Army patrols and no hand baggage is allowed on flights. Due to its location in between the Mountain ranges of Himalayas the approach to Leh Airport has been named and nominated as one of the world's most scenic approaches which makes this airport a scenic airport to land into and take off from.
In February 2016, Indian Air Force handed the airport to Airport Authority of India. AAI will expand it for civilian purposes.