Ladakh, one of the buzzing travel hubs in India that invites a huge number of visitors from across the globe, might face a drop in its tourist foot-fall soon. A recent report appeared in Economic Times suggests that the Union of Air India (domestic) pilot has asked its members not to operate flights to Leh, the only air connectivity resource to Ladakh.
Indian carriers that fly to Leh, one of the highest altitude airports in India, include Air India, Jet Airways and GoAir. The move by The Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (ICPA) came after a private airline complained against AI and other airliners for landing in Leh without meeting the minimum visibility norms.
A senior pilot, on condition of anonymity, said, "Flights to Leh almost never meet all the safety requirements as set by the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) and this is one of the worst kept secrets of Indian aviation. Still all pilots risk their licenses to fly there as flights are the only fast way of connecting Ladakh to rest of India and in winters the only link with the country as highways are closed. There are instances when a sick patient has to be flown out of Leh or critical supplies are required to be flown in there."
29/06/15 Business Insider
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Indian carriers that fly to Leh, one of the highest altitude airports in India, include Air India, Jet Airways and GoAir. The move by The Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (ICPA) came after a private airline complained against AI and other airliners for landing in Leh without meeting the minimum visibility norms.
A senior pilot, on condition of anonymity, said, "Flights to Leh almost never meet all the safety requirements as set by the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) and this is one of the worst kept secrets of Indian aviation. Still all pilots risk their licenses to fly there as flights are the only fast way of connecting Ladakh to rest of India and in winters the only link with the country as highways are closed. There are instances when a sick patient has to be flown out of Leh or critical supplies are required to be flown in there."
29/06/15 Business Insider
