KATHMANDU, Dec 25: Among the three international airports in Nepal, after the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), it is evident that the Pokhara Regional International Airport (PRIA) is witnessing more international business.

In the first five months of the current fiscal year 2023/24, goods worth Rs 277.4 million have been imported through PRIA. Regular international flights to Pokhara are negligible, however, occasional chartered flights for tourism purposes contribute to the import activity.

According to the data provided from the Department of Customs (DoC), businessmen have utilized these chartered flights to PRIA to import goods valued at Rs 277.4 million. There have been no exports through PRIA.

During the same period, goods worth Rs 842,000 have been imported through the Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) located in Bhairahawa. Exports from GBIA are negligible, as the expected foreign trade was hindered by the constant disruptions in regular flights.

The TIA remains a major hub for international trade, with goods worth Rs 57.48 billion imported until mid-December. This constitutes 8.95 percent of the total imports in Nepal, which amounts to Rs 642 billion in the first five months of the current FY.

The TIA has also facilitated exports, with goods worth Rs 15.7 billion exported in the same period, making up 24.84 percent of total exports. During the review period, exports from the TIA reached Rs 63.2 billion.

 
• TIA
 
• PRIA
 
• GBIA