KATHMANDU: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey expressed his commitment to prioritizing the operationalization of Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa and Pokhara International Airport.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Tourism Minister Pandey issued a press release underscoring that the airports’ operation was his foremost agenda upon assuming office. He highlighted the formation of a suggestion committee involving representatives from relevant ministries, which led to initiatives such as reducing fuel prices and exempting taxes. These measures have facilitated the current flight operations.
Minister Pandey announced that international chartered flights have commenced at Pokhara International Airport this week, with further efforts underway to increase flight operations. He emphasized the significant capital investment made towards these airports and the necessity for developing inter-linked infrastructures, such as transport, hotels, and immigration se
rvices, to ensure comprehensive airport operations.
He acknowledged that while these infrastructural developments might take time, the government was dedicated to completing them progressively. Minister Pandey reiterated that the complete operationalization of a large-scale project like an international airport requires time. Despite the completion of Bhairahawa Airport’s construction, challenges such as technical issues with operating equipment like the Instrumental Landing System (ILS) and obtaining necessary permissions for air routes from India remain under discussion.