Night flights begin from Rajbiraj Airport

RAJBIRAJ, Dec 17: Night flights have started to and from Rajbiraj Airport in Saptari from Monday.

Buddha Air has commenced commercial night flights at the airport following the installation of the necessary equipment for night flight services.

Inaugurating the night flight service at Rajbiraj Airport, Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey, expressed confidence that the commencement of night services to and from Rajbiraj would contribute to the development of tourism and the overall economy.

"Rajbiraj will no longer remain in the shadows. Every effort will be made to ensure the regular operation of the airport. Passengers will return only after exploring the natural and cultural heritage of this region," he said

Tourism Minister Pandey stated that the night flight service at the airport would have a multidimensional impact on the economy and various other sectors. He expressed the view that this airport would play a supportive role in promoting Nepal's tourism, enriched with diverse nature and culture.

He emphasized the need to develop direct flights from Rajbiraj to destinations like Pokhara in the coming days. Earlier, Minister Pandey had inaugurated the Airfield Lighting System.

On the occasion, Janamat Party Chairman CK Raut said that having night flights at Rajbiraj Airport is a matter of pride. "It is a proud day for the people of Saptari. Now, everyone must focus on increasing the number of flights and ensuring the continuity of the service. I would like to extend special thanks to everyone who contributed to bringing it to this stage," he said.

Chairman Raut stated that this initiation is an important step for the development of tourism in the famous Chhinnamasta Bhagwati Temple and the Koshi Province.

Nepali Congress leader and former Tourism Minister Jitendra Narayan Dev mentioned that the operation of night flights at Rajbiraj Airport is a matter of pride and expressed gratitude to the Ministry and the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) for ensuring regular flights.

He said that after a long struggle, flights have been started at this airport, and it will also contribute to promoting tourism in the surrounding areas.

CPN-UML leader Suman Pyakurel expressed confidence that this airport, which serves not only Saptari but also the people from the western southern region of Sunsari to Siraha, will be useful.

He suggested that the airport, which has repeatedly had flights and closures for various reasons, should be continuously operated and also used for pilot training.

Saptari Constituency-3 Member of Parliament Dinesh Kumar Yadav pointed out the need for everyone's cooperation to ensure regular flights at the Rajbiraj Airport, which has been repeatedly closed.

Director General of the CAAN, Pradeep Adhikari, mentioned that night flights in Rajbiraj have opened the door to the possibilities of overall development.

Previously, Buddha Air was operating one daily flight at Rajbiraj Airport during the daytime. With the support of the Civil Aviation Authority, Buddha Air conducted a test flight for night operations on Friday, December 13. Following the success of that flight, Buddha Air has started its commercial night flights from Kathmandu to Rajbiraj on Monday.

With this, the number of airports with night flights has reached ten. The airports in Bhadrapur, Biratnagar, Rajbiraj, Simara, Janakpur, Kathmandu, Pokhara, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, and Dhangadhi now operate night flights.

According to the CAAN's Information Officer, Gyanendra Bhul, once flights start at the airport under IFR (Instrument Flight Rules), passengers will be relieved from the issues of flight cancellations and delays caused by low visibility during winter.

Buddha Air spokesperson Dipendra Kumar Karana mentioned that since Rajbiraj Airport is located close to Chandragadhi, Biratnagar, and Janakpur, it can also be used as an alternative airport when necessary. He claimed that night flights in Rajbiraj have made flights in this region safer and more reliable.

Once flights can be operated at an altitude of 2,000 meters under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), it will become easier to fly even during bad weather. Previously, a minimum visibility of 5,000 meters was required for VFR flights. The airport has stated that this will provide relief from issues of flight delays and cancellations.

Since February 1, 2020, Buddha Air has been operating daily regular flights on the Kathmandu–Rajbiraj–Kathmandu route using a 72-seat ATR aircraft at Rajbiraj Airport.

Rajbiraj Airport was inaugurated in 1960 by then Minister Ganeshman Singh. The airport has a paved runway that is 1,500 meters long and 30 meters wide. After being closed for a long time, air service resumed at Rajbiraj Airport on June 24, 2018 when Shree Airlines started operating its flights. However, after one year of operations, Shree Airlines suspended flights from Rajbiraj.

According to the Rajbiraj Airport Office, flights operated for a few days in 1995 and 2008. Later, in 2009, flights resumed from Rajbiraj Airport to the hilly districts for a short period but were suspended again.

In 2018, the construction of the airport's paved runway and other infrastructure was completed. Local Roshan Mandal mentioned that night flights in Rajbiraj have opened the door for the promotion of tourism in the Madhesh region.