Kathmandu: The work of upgrading the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) commenced on Friday night, marking the beginning of a significant development phase for Nepal’s busiest airport. The project aims to expand key infrastructure, including the parallel ‘Taxi Way’ to the south-west, the ‘International Apron’ to the north, and the ‘Hangar Apron’ to the east. This extensive work is expected to last approximately five months, during which the airport will be closed for flights for 10 hours daily.
According to National News Agency Nepal, starting from November 8, the airport will halt operations from 10:00 pm to 8:00 am every day to facilitate the upgrading process. This schedule is expected to affect both domestic and international flights, necessitating adjustments for travelers and airlines.
In response to the partial shutdown of TIA, the government has initiated an action plan to fully operationalize two other international airports in the country-Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa and Po
khara International Airport in Pokhara. Some international airlines, such as Fly Dubai, Jazeera, and Thai Air Asia, have already announced regular flights from Bhairahawa, indicating a shift in air traffic distribution.
To support this transition and encourage airline operations, the government has introduced an attractive package that includes concessions. These incentives aim to enhance the utilization of Gautam Buddha and Pokhara airports, which have struggled to maintain regular international flights since their inception.