BARA (Simara), Dec 3: An aviation refueling center has been established at Simara Airport in Bara district.

Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supply, Ramesh Rijal, inaugurated the center established by the Nepal Airlines Corporation here Sunday.

The airport, second oldest after the Kathmandu-based Tribhuvan International Airport, did not have a refueling facility so far.

Minister Rijal said that the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) had been providing the LPG gas cylinders to the consumers at a cheap price despite incurring loss.

Similarly, NOC's Spokesperson Manoj Thakur said the newly-inaugurated center would facilitate the internal flights if the Simara Airport is used as an alternative airport for domestic flights departing from Kathmandu or landing there.

The operation of the center has ended the situation of diverting the flight towards Bhairahawa or Biratnagar in case of the bad weather or pressure of air in Kathmandu, he assured.

The flight time from Kathmandu to Simara is 15 minutes on average.

The Refueling Centre is expected to benefit both the aviation industry and air travelers by strengthening the connectivity and accessibility of air travel.

It is the first refueling center established this fiscal year. More such centers would be established in coming days, according to the NOC.

Plans are afoot to establish such centers at Bharatpur Airport and Jumla Airport within this fiscal year, informed Umesh Prasad Thani, Executive Director of the NOC.

At present, around 900 to 1,000 passengers are availing services from the Simara Airport operating some 9 flights to and from it on a daily basis.

 
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