For decades, Nubra valley has served as the hidden gem of Ladakh, tucked away in the midst of the majestic Himalayas. From its cold desert sand dunes to ancient monasteries, each beheld the territory’s most marvelous spectacle. But getting there has been quite the task over the years. Now, that long journey is going to be a little bit easier as Ladakh is preparing to open civilian flight operations at Thoise Airport in Nubra Valley, targeted for December 2026.
The Thoise Airport has been a high-altitude military airfield which serves as the crucial logistics hub for the Siachen Glacier post. Now, the government is targeting to open the airspace for civilian flights by the end of the year. People heading to Nubra Valley typically fly into Leh before continuing their journey by road, winding through Ladakh’s dramatic mountain terrain and high-altitude passes.
The new airport will result in smoother travels in lesser time while also making way to a better connection to the border regions of Turtuk and Siachen Base Camp.
The Indian Air Force has approved five acres of land for the construction of the new civil terminal at Thoise Airport. The runway preparations are currently underway and are expected to be completed by November 2026. Following that, the December deadline can be achieved.
The airport will require passenger waiting areas, check-in facilities, security systems, baggage services and other basic infrastructure before it can open for the public.
And the connectivity push does not end with Thoise. Kargil Airport is also being considered for civilian flight operations, although no final decision has been made on whether commercial aircraft can land there.
The airfield currently serves defence purposes, and officials are assessing the feasibility of introducing civilian services. If approved, the move could significantly improve access to Drass, Kargil town and the remote Zanskar Valley, opening up another gateway to some of Ladakh’s most picturesque landscapes.