The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), the regulatory body of the country’s aviation sector, has concluded that it would not be appropriate to build an airport in Dharan.
According to CAAN, building an airport in Terai and Inner Madhesh contravenes the policy mandating a minimum distance of 40 nautical miles from the nearest airport. In addition, due to economic analysis, easy availability of road transport and geographical location of the area, establishing an airport in Dharan is deemed unfeasible as it presents a ‘one way approach’ as stated in the information issued by the CAAN on Tuesday.
Harka Sangpang, the mayor of Dharan Sub-metropolitan City, has been pressing for the construction of an airport in Dharan. After that, the government formed a committee to assess the need for an airport in Dharan. Based on the findings of this study, CAAN has concluded that there is no need for an airport in Dharan.
CAAN has stated that Dharan lacks the potential for long-term, regular and commercial air transport, and due to various technical and operational challenges, the establishment of an airport there is deemed unnecessary.
