Air Transport in Jammu & Kashmir – Complete Notes
📜 1. Historical Background of Air Transport in J&K
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First Airstrip: Established in 1948 at Srinagar post-Partition due to military needs.
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Commercial Flights Started: In the 1950s, Indian Airlines started flights between Delhi and Srinagar.
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Major Boost: After Kargil War (1999), significant focus on improving air connectivity.
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Post-2014: Under PMGSY & UDAAN scheme, many helipads and airstrips were developed, especially in hilly & border regions.
🛫 2. Major Airports in Jammu & Kashmir
| Airport Name | Location | Type | Runway Length | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheikh-ul-Alam International Airport | Srinagar | Civil & Military | ~3,810 m | International |
| Jammu Airport (Satwari) | Jammu | Civil & Military | ~2,000 m | Domestic |
| Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport | Leh (Ladakh) | Civil & Military | ~3,500 m | One of world’s highest airports |
| Kargil Airport | Kargil | Currently Non-operational | ~1,800 m | For civil use soon |
| Udhampur Air Force Station | Udhampur | Military | - | Not for civilians |
| Thoise Air Base | Nubra Valley | Military | - | Not for civilians |
🛑 Note: All major airports are under the control of Indian Air Force, but managed by AAI (Airports Authority of India) for civil operations.
🚁 3. Helipads in Jammu & Kashmir
Over 65+ helipads exist across J&K and Ladakh.
Major Helipads:
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Sanjichhat (Vaishno Devi)
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Baltal & Pahalgam (for Amarnath Yatra)
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Gurez, Machil, Keran, Tangdhar (border villages)
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Doda, Kishtwar, Rajouri, Poonch (Remote hilly areas)
Utility:
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Emergency evacuation
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Tourism (Yatra)
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Border area access
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Army & disaster management
✈️ 4. UDAAN Scheme (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) in J&K
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Launched: 2016 under RCS – Regional Connectivity Scheme
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Aim: Affordable air travel to remote areas
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Ticket cap: ₹2,500 for 1-hour flight
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J&K Cities covered: Jammu, Srinagar, Kargil (planned), Udhampur, Rajouri (planned), and Poonch (planned)
🟢 Latest Update (2024–2025):
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Heli-services extended to Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri, Gurez, and Keran
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New routes approved under RCS-UDAN 5.0
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Air ambulance service launched in Kashmir (2023)
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Expansion of Jammu Airport under progress (new terminal)
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Srinagar Airport's night landing and international terminal improvements started
📌 Important Points for Exam
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Highest airport in J&K: Kushok Bakula Airport, Leh
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Only international airport in J&K: Srinagar Airport
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Airport with night landing facility: Srinagar (added 2023)
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Amarnath Yatra helicopter base: Baltal & Pahalgam
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Kargil Airport: Handed to AAI for civilian use soon (2024 update)
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UDAN 5.0 includes: Jammu-Rajouri, Srinagar-Kargil, Jammu-Poonch routes
🧠 MCQs on Air Transport in Jammu & Kashmir
Q1. Which is the only international airport in Jammu & Kashmir?
a) Jammu Airport
b) Srinagar Airport
c) Leh Airport
d) Kargil Airport
👉 Answer: b) Srinagar Airport
Q2. Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport is located in which city?
a) Pahalgam
b) Kargil
c) Leh
d) Kupwara
👉 Answer: c) Leh
Q3. Which scheme aims to provide affordable air connectivity to remote areas in J&K?
a) UDAN
b) BHARATNET
c) PMGSY
d) R-Urban
👉 Answer: a) UDAN
Q4. The airport under expansion in J&K to improve terminal capacity is:
a) Kargil Airport
b) Srinagar Airport
c) Jammu Airport
d) Poonch Airstrip
👉 Answer: c) Jammu Airport
Q5. Which of the following districts is NOT yet covered by commercial air connectivity?
a) Jammu
b) Srinagar
c) Kargil
d) Leh
👉 Answer: c) Kargil
Q6. Helicopter services for Amarnath Yatra operate from which two major base camps?
a) Doda & Kishtwar
b) Pahalgam & Baltal
c) Leh & Udhampur
d) Rajouri & Poonch
👉 Answer: b) Pahalgam & Baltal
Q7. Under the UDAAN scheme, maximum air fare for a 1-hour flight is capped at:
a) ₹1,000
b) ₹1,500
c) ₹2,500
d) ₹3,000
👉 Answer: c) ₹2,500
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