TAPLEJUNG, July 30: Passengers have been hit hard as Suketar Airport in Taplejung district remained closed for the past one and a half months following unfavourable weather. 

Domestic and foreign tourists have been deprived of air service due to closure of the airport as fog takes place every day during monsoon. 

The airport had started operating regular flights from the beginning of 2016 after completion of blacktopping task of the airport by the end of 2015. 

Movement of domestic and foreign tourists, increased following operation of direct flight from Taplejung-Kathmandu after the blacktopping of runway, has been found decreased due to closure of the service for over 45 days. 

Station In charge of Nepal Airlines Corporation in Taplejung, Bikas Rai, said that regular flights would be brought into operation only after improve in weather. Although two private airlines-- Goma, on Tuesday and Friday and Tara on Friday had been operating flights in a week, the air flights have now been completely closed. 

Mainly, patients, pilgrims visiting Pathibhara Temple and tourists visiting Kanchanjangha mountain have been hit hard due to disruption of air service. RSS