A delegation of Lumbini provincial government has submitted a memorandum to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) demanding operation of regular international flights at the Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA).
The delegation made the demand while submitting a memorandum to Director General of the CAAN, Pradeep Adhikari on Tuesday.
Receiving the memo, Director General Adhikari said CAAN would not leave any stone unturned for regular operation of international flights at the newly-built airport.
Separately, the delegation also held a meeting with the Nepal Representatives of the Asian Development Bank, which funded the construction of the airport, to put forth the same demand on Monday.
Outgoing chairperson of CAAN Lumbini Province, Sagar Adhikari, stressed that ADB’s support for regular operation of international flights at the GBIA is necessary.
The delegation also asked Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kirati to ensure regular operation of international flights at the airport.
Tourism entrepreneurs have invested billions of rupees in the Bhairahawa and Lumbini area for tourism infrastructures after the construction of the GBIA. But their investment is in trouble as the airport has failed to come into full operation.
