Regular flights from Bhairahawa emphasised

By Our Correspondent,Bhairahawa, Dec. 6: A ministerial-level discussion was held in Bhairahawa to address the issue of regular international flights to and from the Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) on Thursday. 

While various airlines currently operate international flights from GBIA, concerns regarding their sustainability have prompted the discussions. 

The meeting was held in the airport’s conference hall in the presence of Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey and Minister for Labour and Employment Sarat Singh Bhandari.

Both ministers expressed their commitment to developing the necessary infrastructure for sustainable flight operations. The discussion was initiated by Tourism Minister Pandey.

Despite the commencement of international flights from GBIA, the lack of facilities such as labour approval, visa processing, medical check-ups and manpower agency offices has created challenges for outbound travellers. A comprehensive meeting was held on Thursday with stakeholders to streamline these processes and ensure convenience for passengers.

During the meeting, representatives of concerned organisations pledged their support for addressing these issues. Secretary at the Labour Ministry Mukunda Prasad Niraula highlighted the legal amendments and procedural changes being pursued to implement decisions effectively.

Pratap Babu Tiwari, General Manager of GBIA, presented an analytical overview of flight statistics over the past month. According to him, Fly Dubai conducted the highest number of flights during this period while Jazeera Airways transported the most passengers. The number of arriving passengers exceeded the departing ones.

Despite fewer direct flights compared to airlines connecting through Kathmandu, direct flights carried more passengers. Most travellers were flying for labour purposes rather than tourism, with Kuwait being the most popular destination.

Between November 3 and December 3, 2024, GBIA served a total of 4,771 passengers. Of these, 2,238 passengers departed for international destinations, while 2,533 arrived in Bhairahawa. Similarly, 5,467 passengers transited through the airport during the same period.

In one month, GBIA recorded 156 flights, including 78 arrivals and 78 departures. Jazeera Airways carried the highest number of passengers during this time.

 Minister Bhandari assured local stakeholders of the ministry’s support in addressing their concerns. 

Participants stressed the importance of prioritising direct flights from Bhairahawa, adopting alternative systems for low-visibility landings and ensuring the sustainable operation of the airport. 

Tourism Minister Pandey reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring the effective and sustainable operation of the airport.