Tikapur Airport in Kailali has officially resumed regular flight operations from Sunday after remaining closed since February 1997. The milestone was marked by Tara Air’s flight YT 1701, carrying 16 passengers, which landed at 1:44 pm. This reopening has been made possible through the concerted efforts of Tikapur Municipality, in coordination with Tara Air and Yeti Airlines.
Originally inaugurated on October 11, 1984, the airport’s revival comes with a new flight schedule. Flights will operate every Sunday and Thursday on the Kathmandu-Nepalgunj-Tikapur and Tikapur-Nepalgunj-Kathmandu routes. Passengers can travel from Kathmandu to Tikapur for a one-way fare of Rs. 9,000. The municipality has signed an agreement with Tara Air to ensure a minimum of 15 seats per flight.
Mayor Ram Lal Dagora Tharu highlighted the collaborative efforts of local tourism businesses, the municipality, and other stakeholders in reviving the airport. Yeti Airlines will facilitate flights between Kathmandu and Nepalgunj, while Tara Air will operate connecting flights between Nepalgunj and Tikapur.
Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey, and Minister of State Arun Kumar Chaudhary played pivotal roles in the reopening. Minister Chaudhary expressed his commitment to further improving the airport’s facilities, including plans to introduce direct flights from Kathmandu to Tikapur in the near future.
Pathil Holidays has been designated as the authorized sales agent for tickets, which are available at their outlets in Siddhartha Hotel, Tikapur, and Tinkune, Kathmandu, as well as through travel agencies. The reopening is expected to greatly benefit residents of Kailali, Surkhet, and Bardiya, who previously relied on airports in Dhangadhi and Nepalgunj. While the runway is currently gravel-based, there are plans to upgrade it once regular flights stabilize.
The renewed connectivity is anticipated to boost tourism and economic activity in the region, marking a significant step forward for Tikapur and its surrounding areas.
