Instead, the TIA management has offered aspirant newcomers to operate flights during mornings and evenings (before 10 am and after 5 pm). However, according to officials of TIA, interested airline companies seems not interested to operate flights during mornings and evenings due to poor infrastructure and management at TIA.
“We are not in a position to give permission to any new flight between 10 am to 5 pm,” Dinesh Shrestha, general manager of TIA, said, adding, “The existing infrastructure is inadequate to operate additional flights during daytime.”
If the government does not seek solution to existing air traffic congestion, the lone international airport in the country is likely to face more problems as the country is celebrating Nepal Tourism Year 2011 campaign with the target of welcoming one million visitors, most of which will enter the country via air.
Tri Ratna Manandhar, deputy director general for Air Transportation and Regulation Directorate of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), said extending infrastructure alone would not increase the airspace capacity of TIA. “We should divert domestic air traffic pressure to other convenient places,” he added.
The existing infrastructure of TIA supports about 150 domestic flights and 23 international flights a day. According to TIA officials, there are only seven parking bays in the international airport against the need of 23 to 25. Likewise, the TIA is also facing shortage of parking space for Twin Otters and helicopters.
The ongoing infrastructure extension program and reform activities will provide parking space for only nine jet planes. “The domestic section in the TIA should be rebuilt as soon as possible,” he added.
According to TIA, total number of flights - including take offs and landings - at TIA reach as much as 400 a day.
The number of international passengers handled by TIA increased by 9.63 percent and arrival of aircraft by 8.41 percent in the first ten months of 2009 against the figure of same period last year, according to CAAN. Similarly, the number of domestic passengers and domestic aircraft increased by 35.15 percent and 19.72 percent respectively.
The mismanagement and air traffic congestion at TIA is resulting to frequent delays in both domestic and international flights. “This has raised serious questions on the service delivery of TIA,” a senior TIA official said, preferring anonymity. “This will paint negative image about Nepal among international passengers.”
Meanwhile, Asian Development Bank has approved soft loan worth $70 million and $10 million grant to support TIA improvement project.
Manandhar said the best option to lessen air traffic pressure at TIA is to build international airport at Nijgadh in Bara and establish operating station for choppers in Dhulikhel or Banepa. "We can reopen the closed domestic airports in Ramechhap and Jiri by establishing refueling facilities," he added.
Upon completion, the TIA improvement project is expected to provide relief lessen the existing air traffic problems.
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