The Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) in Bhairahawa has experienced notable growth in international air traffic, with a total of 4,771 passengers traveling through the airport between November 3 and December 3. During this period, 2,238 passengers departed from the airport, while 2,533 passengers arrived from international destinations. This reflects a positive trend in passenger numbers, driven by increased airline connections linking Bhairahawa to global hubs and facilitating transit to Kathmandu.
In terms of flight operations, the airport recorded 156 flight movements, split evenly between 78 departures and 78 arrivals. Jazeera Airways was the leading airline, transporting 3,034 passengers, including 1,792 departures and 1,242 arrivals. Fly Dubai also contributed significantly to the airport’s traffic, with 1,132 passengers arriving in Bhairahawa and 19 departing.
Other carriers operating at GBIA included Thai AirAsia, Qatar Airways, Nepal Airlines, and chartered flights, which together accounted for the remaining passenger traffic. Thai AirAsia carried 447 passengers, Qatar Airways served 93, Nepal Airlines had 39, and chartered flights contributed 26 passengers.
Overall, GBIA’s increasing international traffic highlights its growing role in regional connectivity and its potential to serve as a key transit hub for travelers, especially for those traveling to Kathmandu.