Parliament Question: Status of proposed new airstrips, airports in J and K.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1780 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9th March 2026 STATUS OF PROPOSED NEW AIRSTRIPS, AIRPORTS IN J AND K 1780. SHRI SAJJAD AHMAD KICHLOO Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:- (a) whether Government proposes to develop the new airstrips/airports in j and k to enhance regional connectivity as well as strategic and defence requirements; (b) the present status of Kishtwar airstrip, including feasibility studies, land acquisition, security clearance, funding and timeline for completion, weather it is covered under the UDAN scheme and the reasons for delay; and (c) the measures being taken by Government to curb rising airfares especially in winters on routes to and fro Delhi to Jammu, Delhi to Kashmir and Jammu to Kashmir? ANSWER Minister of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu) (a) & (b): Government of India (GoI) has formulated a Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy, 2008 for development of new Greenfield airports in the country. As per the policy, if any airport developer including the State Government desires to develop an airport, they are required to identify a suitable site and get the Pre-feasibility Study conducted and submit a proposal to the Central Government for 'Site Clearance' followed by 'In-Principle' approval. An expert committee from Airports Authority of India (AAI) conducted a site visit to Udhampur Airforce station to assess the feasibility of introducing civil flight operations at this Defence airfield. On preliminary assessment, development of Civil Enclave is found to be feasible subject to regulatory clearances and land availability. Besides, recently, a committee has also visited Kishtwar Airfield for commencing civil flight operations. The following airstrips in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir are listed in the UDAN document: Akhnur, Chamb, Gurez (Gurex), Jhangar, Kishtwar, Miran Sahib, Mantalai, Panzgam, Poonch, Rajouri and Udhampur. However, no routes connecting these airstrips have been awarded for operation of RCS flights up to the completion of five UDAN bidding rounds.(c): With the repeal of Air Corporations Act in March, 1994, airfares are not subject to be regulated by the Government. Airlines have the flexibility to determine their airfares based on their operational needs, while adhering to Rule 135 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937. The pricing of airfares is subject to dynamic fluctuations influenced by the fundamental economic forces of supply and demand. Various determinants such as current seat occupancy, fuel costs, aircraft capacity, seasonal fluctuations and other relevant factors significantly impact airline ticket pricing. ******