– CB Adhikari
Kathmandu, July 30: Munich International Airport of Germany has shown interest in operating the Gautam Buddha International Airport which is currently the under construction in Bhairahawa of Kapilbastu district. Germany’s Munich International Airport expressed its interest writing letter to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), the air regulatory body.
CAAN stated that the Munich International Airport Company owned by the government of Germany has shown its interest in operating the Gautam Buddha International Airport by sending formal letters to the Ministry and CAAN. CAAN director general Rajan Pokharel informed that this proposal from the Munich International Airport Company came through the Embassy of Germany.
“Germany has shown interest in managing the Gautam Buddha Airport. The German ambassador has already held a discussion in this regard with the Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation. Similar proposals have been received from other countries as well. Proposal on behalf of Germany would be submitted very soon,” he said.
The German government has 26 percent ownership in the Munich International Airport Company. It is said both the Ministry and CAAN are positive to this proposal from Germany. It is stated that except Germany, no formal proposal has been forwarded by any other country regarding the operation of Gautam Buddha International Airport.
Joint Secretary at the Ministry, Buddhi Sagar Lamichhane said that decision on giving the responsibility for the operation of the airport would be made sooner than later after completing all process. The meeting of the Council of Ministers on June 30 decided to operate Gautam Buddha International Airport on ‘G to G’ modality. CAN director-general Pokharel said a unit would be formed at the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation to decide on which company from which country should be given the responsibility of operating the Gautam Buddha Airport.
The unit would have representation from other Ministries concerned as well. The unit would have representatives from CAAN, the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, among other bodies. It would be headed by the Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation. This unit will discuss the proposals, evaluate them and recommend to the government. Munich has proposed to the government that it should be given the responsibility of operating Gautam Buddha Airport for 50 years. RSS
