KATHMANDU, June 22: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has brought into operation the ‘Helipad Hub’ in Nalinchok of Bhaktapur, targeting to translocate all the chopper related services from the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).

According to the CAAN, it invested Rs 119 million to build the Helipad Hub in two and a half years. The new infrastructure has been constructed in 33 ropanis of land.

The helipad can accommodate a total of 17 helicopters at a time. Similarly, it facilitates four helicopters to land and take off simultaneously.

Hansa Raj Pandey, deputy director general of the CAAN, said the translocation of helicopter services will help manage air services at the TIA. “This will help reduce the pressure of air services at the existing location,” he said.

As of now, helicopters have been using the space at the eastern part of the TIA. The CAAN has been constructing a hangar to park the airplane at the location. “From now on, helicopter companies can use the TIA only for emergency purposes,” said Pandey.