A state-of-the-art aviation fuel depot with a capacity of 3.6 million liters has been constructed at Pokhara Regional International Airport (PRIA), nearly two and a half years after the airport came into operation. The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) invested Rs 680 million in the project, which is expected to be operational from the second week of Shrawan (late July 2025).
The depot features three tanks with 1.2 million liters capacity each, making it one of Nepal’s largest aviation fuel storage facilities. According to project head Pradeep Yadav, this is the first depot built entirely with NOC’s investment and domestic expertise, in partnership with an Indian construction company.
During peak seasons, PRIA sees daily aviation fuel consumption between 18,000 and 22,000 liters, previously met by transporting fuel from the old Pokhara airport, which only had 64,000 liters of storage capacity. The new depot addresses this logistical challenge, ensuring better fuel access for both domestic and international flights.
The depot includes:
- Two 1,200-kiloliter water tanks for fire preparedness
- Fully automated fuel dispensing system
- A pump house, laboratory, and administrative building
NOC Executive Director Dr. Chandika Prasad Bhatt confirmed the depot meets international standards and is part of the corporation’s broader plan to modernize aviation fuel infrastructure across the country.
Currently, NOC has aviation fuel storage depots in major airports including Kathmandu (7,710 kl), Biratnagar (280 kl), Nepalgunj (280 kl), Bhairahawa (56 kl), and others. However, many remote airports lack depots, requiring aircraft to carry extra fuel for round trips. NOC says construction at these locations will need support from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).
With the rising air traffic at PRIA, the completion of the new depot is expected to boost fuel supply reliability and improve efficiency in aviation fuel services in western Nepal.
