Flights at Tumlingtar Airport in the district have been disrupted 86 times over the past year due to poor visibility caused by adverse weather and climate change. According to the head of the Civil Aviation Authority’s Tumlingtar office, Nawaraj Dahal, at least five kilometers of clear terrain must be visible for flights to operate.
The adverse weather and climate change have led to dust and fog covering the airport area, which has caused flight cancellations. Recently, smoke and dust from hydropower projects, road construction, and fires have contributed to visibility issues. Dust and fog from surrounding hills have also affected flight operations. In 2025 alone, flights were disrupted 23 times due to poor visibility, with a notable three-week suspension of flights in January and February.
This disruption has particularly impacted elderly people and patients who rely on air travel. Private airlines have been operating flights at Tumlingtar Airport, benefiting residents of Sankhuwasabha, Bhojpur, and Dhankuta when flights resume. Tumlingtar Airport is the busiest in the hilly district, with Buddha Air’s ATR-72 operating daily flights. The airport sees high passenger traffic due to the nearby Makalu mountain, the Arun III Hydropower Project, and short-distance flights for tourists.
