KATHMANDU, Jan 3: Of the total 55 domestic airports currently in operation across the country, the runways of 34 airports have been blacktopped.
According to a report unveiled by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal on the occasion of its 21st anniversary, the blacktopping of the apron area (where the aircrafts are parked) and taxi areas (path connecting runways with apron) of small domestic airports such as in Doti, Saanfebagar, Dolpa (Jufal), Lamidanda, Thamkharka have been carried out while blacktopping of airports in Baitadi, Bajhang, Ilam, Gulmi Resunga and Kalikot is underway.
Ultra-modern terminal building being built at Nepalgunj Airport
Similarly, the construction of big helipads in Lukla and Simikot has entered the final phase, the report stated.
Among the big domestic airports, overlay of runways in Biratnagar, Chandragadhi, Janakpur, Bharatpur and Dhangadi airports have been completed, the report documented. These airports also saw the expansion of apron and taxi areas. At Nepalgunj airport, the overlay in the taxi area has been over.
"The CAAN has adopted the plan and policies to develop and expand the big domestic airports in a phase-wise manner," said CAAN's Director General Rajan Pokharel.
