LEH DEC 11: Operations at Leh’s Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport are running smoothly despite aviation disruptions elsewhere in the country, Director A. Umasankar said, assuring passengers that there is “no panic and everything is perfect at Leh Airport.”
He said the airport has entered its winter shuttle mode with eight flights operating daily, including three IndiGo flights resuming full operations from December 7 onwards, all maintaining on-time performance.
Umasankar noted that IndiGo flights are operating without delays, and there have been no cases of baggage loss or mishandling at Leh. “All flights are on time, no baggage missing, and no delays from the 7th onwards,” he said, adding that the airport has strengthened assistance for passengers by deploying additional manpower, including CISF support and extra airline staff to help senior citizens and passengers needing special care from the entry gate to the boarding point.
Speaking about earlier baggage complaints reported from passengers, he clarified that the issues were linked to connecting flights at Delhi Airport, which had faced a series of cancellations over three days. “There was an initial problem in Delhi, but all baggage from Leh has now been fully reconciled. We have zero baggage issues at Leh Airport,” he said.
On the nationwide aviation situation triggered by IndiGo’s operational challenges, Umasankar said the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Airport Authority of India are holding daily meetings with the airline to restore normalcy. He said IndiGo has started increasing manpower, leading to a drop in cancellations, and about 90% of the airline’s operations have already resumed, with full stabilisation expected in the next three to four days subject to updates from the airline.
Despite national disruptions, he stressed that passenger experience at Leh Airport remains calm and comfortable, with all stakeholders—from airport staff to local transporters and hoteliers—providing full support. “There is no panic, no issue, and passengers are more comfortable here than at many other airports,” the Director said, reaffirming the airport’s preparedness and smooth functioning through the winter season.
The other day, KBR Airport, Leh, issued a routine update reassuring travellers that airport operations remain completely normal, with no disruptions reported despite the ongoing IndiGo Airlines crisis affecting services in other parts of the country.
In an official post shared on its social media handle, the airport authority stated that no incidents of dissatisfaction or unrest involving IndiGo passengers have been recorded at Leh. Officials noted that all passengers processed through the terminal on Tuesday reported smooth travel experiences without any operational hurdles.
The airport further confirmed that no flight cancellations have occurred at Leh Airport as of now, and all scheduled arrivals and departures are operating strictly as per the published timetable.
The statement serves as an assurance to passengers during a period of heightened concern about flight disruptions nationwide, particularly linked to IndiGo’s ongoing challenges. However, airport officials emphasised that operations at KBR Airport have not been impacted in any way.
