KATHMANDU, Nov 9: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) is planning to repair Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) to improve its capacity and quality.
CAAN plans to expand the airport by halting flights for 10 hours a day for about five months, starting from November 8. The regulatory body plans to expand the parallel taxiway on the southwest side of the airport, the international apron on the north side, and the hangar apron on the east side. A taxiway will also be constructed parallel to the runway of the TIA.
CAAN aims to increase the airport’s air traffic management capacity by 20 to 25 percent with the airport upgrade. In an interview with News Agency Nepal, Engineer Pradeep Adhikari, Director General of CAAN, said that in order to complete the upgrade, all flights between 10 pm and 8 am will be suspended. The airport currently operates from 6 in the morning until late night at 2, but during the maintenance period, it will be closed for 10 hours every day.
With the closure of the Kathmandu airport for 10 hours each day, Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) and Pokhara Regional International Airport (PRIA) will serve as alternative airports. CAAN has also requested national and international airlines to operate international flights from both GBIA and PRIA. Some have alleged that CAAN is using the repair of TIA as an excuse to push for operations at Bhairahawa and Pokhara airports.
However, the Director General said that the operation of GBIA and PRIA is necessary and that it will help control airfares.
He said that airline companies must comply with Nepal's fare regulations, and the operation of these airports will support the principle of fair pricing. According to the Director General Adhikari, the launch of flights from GBIA and PRIA will increase their global importance.
Approved flight schedules from GBIA
The flight schedules of three international airlines have already been approved for operations from Gautam Buddha International Airport. Thai AirAsia, Fly Dubai, and Jazeera Airways are now cleared to operate international flights from Bhairahawa. CAAN has also requested other international airlines to consider operating from this airport.
Qatar Airways, the airline with the highest number of connecting flights in Nepal, has applied for permission to operate flights to Bhairahawa from the third week of November. CAAN is currently reviewing this request.
Study committee recommends Nijgadh Int’l Airport builder operat...
Director General Adhikari underscored that TIA must undergo repairs, adding that the governing body is also ready to support airlines that will benefit from the operation of GBIA and PRIA. These airports will play a key role in helping control airfares, while also facilitating the arrival of tourists and passengers to Nepal.
Director General Adhikari added that securing approval for international flights at Bhairahawa has not posed significant challenges and is expected to operate smoothly.
‘Getting a flight from GBIA was not easy’
CAAN has been in dialogue with the airline companies for nine months to start flights from Bhairahawa. After the airlines made preparations on their part, CAAN also took decisions with the participation of all stakeholders. Airlines operating in the global aviation industry are well aware of this, added Adhikari.
“Since the work has already progressed, there is no need to treat it as a challenge anymore. However, airline companies want to operate more flights at Kathmandu's TIA. But what the authority believes is in the country’s best interest,” said Adhikari, adding, “After upgrading the TIA, its capacity and quality will increase permanently. Yes, there will be some short-term challenges over the next five months, but this work is ultimately for the country's long-term benefit.”
He said this should not be viewed as a challenge, but as an essential improvement.
TIA closure incurs loss of Rs 2 billion
DG Adhikari clarified that CAAN’s position is clear: The airport had to be closed for repairs despite losing Rs 2 billion in revenue.
“If those responsible fail to understand such a simple matter, there is little I can do. Repairing the airport is not just for the present; it is an investment for the country’s future. This is not about individual gain but about national progress. If there are responsible individuals, this work should be supported.”
According to Adhikari, there is no need to close the airport while constructing a taxiway. However, there are technical aspects to consider.
“We are doing our best. There should be 75 meters of clear space on both sides of the runway. There should be no holes or obstacles. The authority is working to connect the taxiway to the runway, and that requires excavation. This is purely technical work, and there is a fixed time to complete it. After considering various aspects, the total closure time adds up to 10 hours.”
Adhikari added that this practice is not unique to Nepal but is also followed in other countries. In fact, TIA has been closed for 10 hours in the past.
The decision to close the airport was made seven months ago. Now, four airlines are ready to fly to Bhairahawa.
“Since Kathmandu airport has limited capacity, we cannot keep adding more flights. Once the capacity is exceeded, it becomes difficult to manage. The Bhairahawa and Pokhara airports were built for this very purpose. The government has entrusted CAAN with the task of operating both Bhairahawa and Pokhara airports,” said Adhikari.
He clarified that the current situation is driven by necessity.
“This decision was made seven months ago and is based on practical circumstances. It is not a strategic maneuver by the CAAN. In the past, when one airport was under renovation, another airport was used as an alternative.”
He added that TIA often faces technical issues where planes cannot land due to unwarranted situations.
DG Adhikari said that international airlines were reluctant to fly to Bhairahawa due to its lack of facilities, including aviation fuel. But now, the situation has changed.
He confirmed that Qatar Airways, Fly Dubai, Thai AirAsia, and Jazeera Airways are all flying to Bhairahawa.
With these airlines now operating, Bhairahawa airport has come into international view. The airport is now recognized globally.
“While it’s true that an airport itself might not make much of an impact unless good airlines operate from it, the arrival of these international airlines is a major step forward.”
Bhairahawa airport has become a vital part of Nepal’s aviation landscape. Currently, there are three international airports in operation in Nepal. After 74 years of operation at the TIA, the new GBIA in Bhairahawa and PRIA in Pokhara are both now operational.
