The government has decided to operate international flights from the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) 24 hours a day from May 29.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) is preparing to operate international airports including TIA 24 hours a day to manage the increasing air pressure both on domestic and international flights.
According to CAAN, the Gautam Buddha International Airport and the Pokhara Regional International Airport under construction, including the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), will now operate 24 hours a day for international flights.
CAAN Director General Engineer Pradip Adhikari informed that the Tribhuvan International Airport has been operating 24 hours a day since Republic Day on May 29. “It has been decided to operate the Kathmandu airport 24 hours a day to manage the increased air pressure after the COVID epidemic,” he said.
Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale has shown special interest and activism in the country’s aviation sector. As a result, CAAN has stated that it is working for the infrastructure development and service strengthening of airports across the country, including three international airports.
Minister Ale has facilitated the modernization and commercialization of the airport. The TIA is about to come into operation 24 hours a day during the tenure of Minister Ale.
“The CAAN has made the plan public by doing internal homework as per the instructions of Tourism Minister Ale in the board meetings,” the official said while talking to media persons.
After COVID, flight pressure has increased at international airports and domestic airports. Increasing flight pressure is also a pleasant aspect. The CAAN understands that the increase in air transport is also a great opportunity for the country’s economy. At the same time, there are similar challenges in its management. Therefore, they are working for the effective management of the airport, said the Director-General.
‘All international and domestic airports need extensive infrastructure improvements and service standardization. It also conveys the message that the skies of Nepal are safe. If any international airline wants to fly in TIA today, we cannot give slots, ‘the official said.
Earlier, the then Minister for Tourism Rabindra Adhikari had brought TIA into operation for 21 hours in 2075 BS.
The Tribhuvan Airport, which had been operating for 18 hours from 6 am to 12 noon, was extended for 21 hours by adding three hours. However, the resumption of flight time was reduced after the renovation work of the TIA runway began. After that, the operation time of the airport was reduced as international and domestic flights were being cut due to the nationwide shutdown due to COVID.
With a total passenger capacity of 9.2 million, TIA had carried 7.2 million passengers in 2018. Without the Covid epidemic, the airport’s capacity would not have been able to accommodate passengers. Gautam Buddha Airport is also seen as an alternative to Kathmandu Airport.
According to CAAN, Tribhuvan International Airport, Gautam Buddha International Airport and Pokhara Regional International Airport under construction will now operate 24 hours a day.
New runway of Gautam Buddha Airport
CAAN is going to bring the new runway of Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa into operation from April 21 this year.
Director-General Adhikari informed that the old 1,500-meter-long runway of the airport has been closed and a new 3,000-meter-long runway is being operated internationally.
“Pilots will no longer be able to identify the old runway at Bhairahawa after April 25. We have published detailed technical information about the new airport’s air route, runway, navigation, flight management system, facilities at the airport in Aeronautical Information Regulation and Control,” the official said.
Though the runway of Gautam Buddha International Airport will be operational from April 22, now the international flight will be operated from Buddha Jayanti on May 22, according to CAAN.
Now, foreign ships will be able to land at Bhairahawa Airport due to the closure of Kathmandu Airport or any other emergency.
According to the Director-General, the tower of the airport has been in operation since the first week of February. Bhairahawa runway has been prepared for narrowbody and widebody. A mechanical test flight (calibration flight) has been completed at this airport.
Domestic flights to be operated till midnight
The night-time flights from East Mechi to Far-Western Dhangadhi will now run till midnight. The regulatory authority has decided to operate Bhadrapur, Biratnagar, Janakpur, Simara, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj and Dhangadhi airports from 6 am to midnight.
CAAN is confident that this will also manage the existing flight pressure of Kathmandu Airport and provide relief to the tourism sector which is being fined after the COVID disaster. Economic activity will increase regionally.
Passengers have been suffering for hours at the airport due to flight delays. Due to the flight delay, passengers will have to sit on the ground for hours and the torment of children will be removed. According to CAAN, discussions have been held with domestic and international airlines for night flights to Nepal.
Modern terminal buildings at airports across the country
CAAN has announced to demolish the old terminal buildings of domestic airports across the country and make them new with modern facilities and commercialization.
Director-General Adhikari said that the 70-year-old terminal buildings across the country will be demolished and a new state-of-the-art building will be constructed within two years.
It is not possible to operate the terminal building at the airport in the Terai region as it is 70 to 75 years old. We are evacuating all the buildings immediately as water leakage, passenger capacity and facilities are not up to date,” said the official.
