Leh airport in India was closed for civilian operations due to a technical issue with an Indian Air Force (IAF) C-17 aircraft. The aircraft has blocked the runway, causing several flights to and from Leh to be cancelled or diverted.
Passengers who were scheduled to fly to Leh expressed their frustration on social media, while some flights were diverted to Chandigarh and Srinagar. The airport authorities and airlines are working to address the situation and accommodate the affected passengers.
Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh is known for its high altitude, being situated at 3,256 meters (10,682 feet) above sea level, making it one of the highest commercial airports in the world. As a result, several flights to and from Leh were cancelled or diverted, while the authorities and airlines are working to address the situation and accommodate the affected passengers.
Leh-bound flights diverted to alternative airports on 16 May, including Air India AI445 (A20N), SpiceJet SG8125, and IndiGo’s 6E313. Chandigarh and Srinagar were the primary diversion points, while a few flights returned to Delhi and Mumbai.
