KATHMANDU: Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), which has been undergoing upgrades since November 9 (Kartik 23), with a daily 10-hour flight suspension, will reduce the suspension period to 8 hours starting February 1 (Magh 19), according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).
The suspension, currently in effect from 10 PM to 8 AM, will be shortened to 11 PM to 7 AM beginning next month, CAAN confirmed. This adjustment will provide more operational flexibility while still allowing for ongoing infrastructure upgrades.
Ongoing Upgrades and Investments
The Air Transport Capacity Enhancement Project under CAAN is overseeing the expansion of key facilities, including:
– A parallel taxiway on the southwestern side of the airport,
– An international apron on the northern side,
– A hangar apron on the eastern side of the airport.
The project is expected to cost NPR 15 billion.
Nepal’s Expanding International Airports
Nepal currently operates three international airports:
1. Tribhuvan International Airport, established 74 years ago,
2. Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa,
3. Pokhara International Airport, recently inaugurated.
Despite being the oldest international airport in the country, TIA has undergone several phases of upgrades and capacity enhancements over the years.
Past Upgrade Efforts
In 2020 (2077 BS), TIA extended its runway to 3,300 meters, requiring a daily 12-hour suspension of flights from 6 PM to 6 AM. Similarly, in 2018 (2075 BS), the airport underwent complete runway resurfacing, with a daily 10-hour closure for nearly four months, leading to a 30% reduction in both domestic and international flights during that period.
Current Flight Operations
At present, TIA handles flights from 19 domestic airlines, including 11 helicopter companies, and 30 international airlines, including three Nepali carriers. The airport operates over 300 daily domestic flights and around 100 international flights.
The planned reduction in flight suspension hours aims to strike a balance between minimizing disruption to operations and ensuring the timely completion of essential upgrades.