Nepal Airlines to operate flights to Falgunanda Sukilumba Airport

MANGALBARE, Jan 9: The Falgunanda Sukilumba Airport in Ilam is all set to come into operation after a long interval.

Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) is planning to operate one flight a week to and from the airport. According to Ilam Municipality, the NAC has agreed in principle to operate the flights from the airport.

Ilam Mayor Kedar Thapa informed Republica that efforts are underway to initiate regular flights from January 15.

Earlier, too, Tara Air had operated flights to and from the airport but the service was closed once the contract period came to an end.

There hasn’t been any flight to and from the airport after Tara Air shut the service. Ilam Municipality said that they have taken the initiative to resume the flight service at a low price to the possible extent.

Mayor Thapa expressed his confidence that the NAC would also be engaged in determining an appropriate airfare.

According to Tara Air, it is an almost one-hour flight from Kathmandu to Ilam.

The airport has a runway that is 670 meters long and 20 meters wide. The runway has also been blacktopped. A budget has been allocated for the construction of the airport boundary and terminal building.

Passengers from Panchthar, Terhathum and Taplejung districts will also be benefitted from the air service after the airport comes into operation.