TIKAPUR, March 5: Tikapur Airport is now likely to close again as Tara Air, which was operating three flights a week, has decided to operate only one flight a day.
Tara Air sent a letter to Tikapur Municipality on March 3, informing it that flights will be operated only on Mondays of the week from March 10. The letter mentions that, according to the terms of the flight operation agreement made between the two parties on December 3, starting from March, the number of flights has to be reduced, as the aircraft will no longer be based in Nepalgunj.
Tara Air has requested all municipalities to inform everyone that only Nepalgunj-Tikapur-Nepalgunj flights will be operated. After a Nepal Airlines aircraft flew a test flight on October 28, 2024, Tara Air started regular commercial flights on December 15, 2024. Tara Air aircraft flew on the day of the test flight.
After the Tikapur Municipality had guaranteed passengers for its 15 seats, Tara Air started its commercial flights. The municipality made an agreement to pay Tara Air at a rate of Rs 8,500 per vacant seat.
Tara Air operated flights from Tikapur, carrying passengers to Nepalgunj. As per the agreement between the municipality and Tara Air, the passengers from Tikapur would then be transferred to Kathmandu by Yeti Airlines.
Tara Air had conducted a test flight at this airport in 2071 BS. Although it conducted test flights at that time with the aim of conducting commercial flights, it was not able to continue. The airport, established in 2042 BS, has been closed since 2054 BS. The airport's runway is only 573 meters long.
Mayor Ramlal Dagoura Tharu had made the airport's reopening his single agenda. He has even spent millions of rupees of the municipality in the name of reopening the airport.
On the day of the test flight, a grand event was organized inside the airport with music and celebrations. Cultural groups from various villages presented performances, and political party leaders also gave speeches during the event.