5 Mind-Blowing Mountain Airports Of India

Reading Time: 5 minutes

For most of us, the adventure of a holiday begins after we land at the airport and are on our way to our destination. But sometimes the excitement begins even earlier. There are always a few places where the journey to the destination is memorable, or, in some cases, the last leg can be quite an experience by itself.

Most airplane landings are ho-hum. You’ve done a countless number of them till date. But have you ever seen your plane scarily heading straight for snow-capped mountains, only to find yourself gliding on to an impossibly tiny strip of a runway?

While these might seem to be ideas straight out of an action movie, they are not. You will find such airports right here in India. Some are at a higher altitude, some are lower; some have risky weather conditions, some are relatively less challenging; but they all have one thing in common, and that is, they are simply breath-taking. And after much contemplation and deliberation, we’ve decided to talk about these 5 remarkable airports.

Are you ready to take off?

1. Pakyong Airport, Sikkim

India’s 100th commercial airport, Pakyong Airport connects the tiny mountain kingdom of Sikkim to the rest of India by flight now. But is this ranking the only thing that brings it fame?

Called an ‘engineering marvel’ when it was showcased to the world, this airport, which took 9 years in the making, has been carved out of a mountainside. Barely 30 kms from Gangtok, Sikkim’s capital city, this airport is located at an incredible 4,500 feet above sea level. The construction was quite a challenge, considering the narrow mountainous roads and the heavy monsoon season.

The airport is on top of a hill above Pakyong village and is considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful airports. The 1.7km long runway is flanked by two deep valleys at both ends and that offers breath-taking views to passengers while landing and taking off.

The airport might be compact but it has the capacity to handle 100 people at a time.

Suggested Read : Packed Ports: The Busiest Airports in the World

2. Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh

Counted among some of the world’s highest airports, at 3,256 meters above sea level, Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh is definitely India’s highest. Leh has held a fascination for travellers since countless years now and this airport helps cater to the travel needs of these adventurous crowds.

The airport sits between the Karakoram and Himalayan ranges, offering a stunning view of snow-capped mountains as the plane comes in for a touch-down at Leh.

The months from May to October are the busiest after which it starts to snow and the number of visitors trickles down. Of course, the Indian Air Force continues to operate its flights with aplomb.

Most flights take off and land only during the morning as the afternoons invariably bring in stormy weather. Mountain winds are too strong, and even the most experienced pilots will not be able to hold their own against these squalls.

Currently the airport has a capacity to handle 250 passengers at a time.

3. Lengpui Airport, Mizoram

To know about the next breath-taking airport on our list we must head to Mizoram. At 1,328 feet above sea level, Lengpui Airport in Aizwal might not impress you too much. But wait till you hear the rest of it. The runway of this airport has several hilly streams running under it, making it possibly one of the few runways to not sit on rock solid ground.

And that’s just one part of it. The airport is also only one of three airports in India to have a tabletop runway. What does that mean? This creates an optical illusion while landing and taking off, which effectively requires that only the really experienced pilots head to Mizoram.

The airport is surrounded by lush green mountains which are a pleasant sight for passengers as their flights lands or takes off at Lengpui Airport.

The airport takes care of all the basic needs of passengers passing through its terminal. As of today, the airport can cater to 300 passengers at a time.

4. Jubarhatti Airport, Shimla – One of the Breathtaking Mountain Airports Of India

Landing and taking off at the Jubarhatti Airport in Shimla is a thrilling experience. The airport is located 5,072 feet above sea level and sits nestled in the folds of the Himalayan Mountains. The short single runway, built by levelling a mountain top, could give anyone a bit of a fright as planes hurtle towards the ends of the cliff.

This airport is also one of the three table top airports of India, which means you better hope that your flight is being commandeered by an experienced and able pilot. To take your mind off the anxiety, look out the window and marvel at the engineering feat that created this airport. As you land and take off, you will be treated to a fantastic view of the massive mountains that surround the airport.

Shimla city is just 23 kms away, and there are several transport options from the airport. Because of the altitude, there are restrictions on the number of passengers per plane. As of today, the airport has the capacity to cater to 90 passengers at a time.

Suggested Read : 20 Best Things To Do In Shimla – Queen of Hill Stations

5. Gaggal Airport, Kangra

The last in our list of fantastic mountain airports is the Gaggal Airport, also called the Kangra Airport. Just 14 kms from Dharamshala, this airport sits nestled in the snow-capped mountain ranges of the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh.

At an amazing altitude of 2492 feet above sea level, this airport makes you feel like you’re riding with the gods. Majestic snow-clad mountains stand tall to give you company as you arrive at the airport and even when you leave. Flights land and take off from this airport at night as well as day.

Quaint and well-maintained, the airport has all the modern conveniences and comforts that the well-travelled tourist has come to expect. And with many international visitors coming to Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj, it does see quite a bit of traffic as well. As of today, the airport can easily cater to the needs of 100 passengers at a time. Considering its location, the airport is massive and covers 1200 acres.

If you’re planning a holiday sometime soon and you are yet to decide where you want to head next, how about giving one of these destinations a try? It’s not just the thrilling landing and take-off that you will be talking about; the towns by themselves are simply out of the world and there is much to explore in each of the mountainous lands.

At Thomas Cook, we offer you curated holidays to all these places. Do check out our curated holiday packages to get a sense of what you can expect when you team up with us. We are geared to take care of all your travel and accommodation arrangements.

Are you ready to take to the air with us?