Kathmandu, January 31 : Buddha Air has successfully set up RNAV operations at Bhadrapur Airport with the help and coordination of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).
With the setup of such operations, night flights are now possible at Bhadrapur. It is through RNAV (Area Navigation) that flights can be done even under low visibility and there was even installation of runway lights at Bhadrapur Airport, states a press release issued by the company. This allows night flights to be operated safely as well. This technology has been adopted worldwide for safe air operations.
As this technology was not available at Bhadrapur Airport, airlines had to cancel or delay flights to Bhadrapur due to low visibility and flights could not be operated after sunset. This led to a huge burden on travelers and financial burden on airline operators.
Bhadrapur is the gateway to eastern Nepal and districts like Jhapa, Ilam, Panchthar and Taplejung. Moreover, Bhadrapur also connects travelers cities in India like Siliguri, Darjeeling, Sikkim and even to Bhutan and Bangladesh as well.
With the growing demand of passengers and airline operators, CAAN had started installing RNAV technology 6 months ago at Bhadrapur Airport. Since night flights were necessary, runway lights were also installed. This would ensure that the chances of flights being cancelled due to bad weather or low visibility is negligible.
CAAN’s team also helped in successfully implementing infrastructures for RNAV and runway light installation at Dhangadhi Airport a few months ago. This allowed airline operators to conduct safe night flights to Dhangadhi Airport as well. “With close coordination with CAAN, such infrastructures will be built to other airports in Tumlingtar, Surkhet and Bharatpur as well,” the release says.
In the coming months, Janakpur Airport will be equipped with RNAV technology. This will be done in collaboration with Buddha Air, CAAN and airport authorities of Janakpur. Once test flight is successful, Buddha Air will be operating commercial night flight to Janakpur Airport as well, according to the release.
