Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport

VILH / IXL

Leh, IN

Last Updated
May 14, 17:30Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Stale 4 hours ago
17:30Z

🌙 Night
MVFR
Flight Rules
13°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: -8°C
7 kt
290°
6 km
Visibility
12,000 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1020 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR VILH 141730Z 29007KT 6000 SCT070 BKN120 13/M08 Q1020 NOSIG

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 10,682 ft
SCT 7,000 ft AGL
BKN 12,000 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
7,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
17,682 ft AMSL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
12,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
22,682 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

MVFR

Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport is currently reporting marginal VFR (MVFR) conditions with broken clouds at 12,000 feet and 6 km visibility. Note: This observation is 4.5 hours old and conditions may have changed.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the west-northwest (290°) at 7 knots. Runway 25 is favored with a 5-knot headwind and 4-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 6 km, below VFR minimums in some airspace classifications. Check local requirements before departing VFR. The ceiling is 12000 feet AGL (broken), well above standard VFR minimums.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 13°C (55°F) with a dewpoint of -8°C, indicating very dry conditions.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 18 hours. Conditions are expected to fluctuate between VFR and MVFR. VFR pilots should be prepared for deteriorating conditions. Temporary VFR conditions are forecast between 09:00Z and 12:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

VFR pilots should exercise caution. Consider filing IFR if instrument rated, or postponing the flight if conditions are expected to deteriorate further.

This briefing is generated from real-time METAR and TAF data. Always verify with official sources before flight.

QNH
1020 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
664 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (10,682 ft)
Pressure Alt
10,480 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 12,804 ft (High - Reduced Performance)
ISA Deviation: +19.4°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF VILH 140930Z 1418/1512 28010KT 6000 SCT060 BKN120 TEMPO 1509/1512 29015G25KT
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
21:57Z BASE
+0h
MVFR 280° 10 kt
Visibility: 6 km
Ceiling: 12,000 ft
09:00Z TEMPO
+12h
VFR 290° 15 kt

24-Hour Weather Evolution

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Data Sources
  • • Current conditions from METAR observations
  • • Historical data from past 24 hours
  • • No forecast or predicted data included
  • • Data updated with each new METAR report
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Note: Future values beyond current TAF validity are estimates based on climatological data and trends. Always verify with current forecasts before flight operations.

Airport Runway Layout

N
ILH
06
24 ✈️
07L
25R ✈️
07
25 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 06/24
Active: 24
500 ft 85 ft ASP 59°
4.5 kt 5.4 kt
50° angle
✈️ 07/25
Active: 25
500 ft 60 ft ASP 71°
5.4 kt 4.5 kt
40° angle
✈️ 07L/25R
Active: 25R
9,040 ft 150 ft ASP 68°
5.4 kt 4.5 kt
40° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - VILH

501 observations | Nov 2025 - May 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
0.2%
MVFR
99.8%
IFR
0%
LIFR
0%

Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport is frequently affected by reduced visibility conditions, with VFR weather only 0.2% of the time and IFR/LIFR conditions occurring in 0% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the W averaging 9.7 knots. Temperatures typically range between -6°C and 22°C with an average of 13.7°C. The best months for VFR flying are April, March, May.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: W (270°)
Average Speed: 9.7 kt
Maximum Recorded: 25 kt
Calm Winds: 0.7%
Direction Distribution:
N
9.2%
NE
9%
E
0.2%
SE
4.1%
S
3.6%
SW
3.1%
W
35.8%
NW
34.1%

Temperature Range

Average: 13.7°C
Range: -6°C to 22°C
-6°C 22°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 0%

Best Months for VFR

April March May

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 06/24
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 7.4 kt
Runway 07/25
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 6.8 kt
Runway 07L/25R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 6.8 kt

Statistics computed from 501 METAR observations (Nov 2025 - May 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: VILH
IATA Code: IXL
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 10,682 ft MSL

Location

City: Leh
Country: IN
Latitude: 34.135899°
Longitude: 77.546501°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT-5

Runway Information

Runway 06/24
Length: 500 ft
Width: 85 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 07/25
Length: 500 ft
Width: 60 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 07L/25R
Length: 9,040 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport

Overview

Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport serves the high-altitude region of Ladakh in northern India, located in the city of Leh at an elevation of 10,682 feet above mean sea level. The airport is a critical transportation infrastructure for this mountainous area, providing essential connectivity to a region with challenging geographical terrain.

Flying Conditions

Due to its extreme elevation of 10,682 feet MSL, the airport presents significant atmospheric challenges for aviation operations. Pilots should anticipate potential performance limitations related to high-altitude density altitude, which can substantially impact aircraft performance and operational capabilities during takeoff and landing.

Notable Features

The airport features three runways with asphalted surfaces: two shorter runways at 500 feet in length (06/24 and 07/25) and one substantial runway measuring 9,040 feet (07L/25R). The geographical coordinates (34.135899, 77.546501) position the airport in a high-mountain region with complex surrounding terrain that requires precise navigation and heightened situational awareness.

Approach Considerations

Given the airport's mountainous environment and high elevation, pilots must exercise extreme caution during approach and departure phases. The longer 9,040-foot runway (07L/25R) provides the most suitable option for most aircraft operations, offering increased operational flexibility compared to the shorter runways.

Data Sources & Accuracy: Airport information sourced from OurAirports.com, a collaborative database of worldwide airport data. Weather data from official aviation weather services including NOAA Aviation Weather Center and international METAR/TAF providers. Information is updated regularly but pilots should always verify current conditions and NOTAMs through official channels before flight operations.

Official Data Sources

Weather NOAA Aviation Weather Center • International METAR/TAF Network
Airports OurAirports.com • Public domain airport database
NOTAMs FAA NOTAM System • ICAO NOTAM Distribution
Last updated: Jan 1, 1970 12:00 AM UTC

Disclaimer: Data is provided for informational purposes only. Pilots must verify all information through official sources before flight operations. Weather conditions change rapidly; always obtain a current briefing from approved weather services.