March 15, Lumbini: Five companies have come in contact for regular flights at Gautam Buddha International Airport, which has recently completed construction and is in the process of preparing for commercial flights.
Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale has instructed the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to take off and land from the airport as soon as possible. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Jazeera airways of Kuwait, Sri Lankan airlines of Sri Lanka, Nepal Airlines Corporation, Qatar Airways, and Thai Smile Airlines of Thailand have been contacted for the flight.
Engineer Pradip Kumar Adhikari, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), said that permission would be granted for international flights and landings as soon as various companies contact them. He said, “Some airlines have come in contact for landing at Bhairahawa International Airport. We are preparing to study and give permission.”
A few days ago, the Civil Aviation Authority also issued ‘Aeronautical Publication Information’ for commercial flights. As ground handling, cargo, catering, etc. are yet to be managed at the airport, the authority has stated that permission will be given for take-off and landing as soon as the work is completed.
According to the authority, there is a possibility of airlines operating flights to the destination along with various Buddhist countries including Cambodia, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka.
The government is preparing to bring the airport into operation on the occasion of Buddha Purnima.
