Air travel demand on the Bharatpur–Kathmandu route has surged following disruptions along the Prithvi Highway, particularly around areas affected by road cave-ins such as Krishabhir. With road transportation severely affected, increasing numbers of travelers are turning to air services for a safer and more reliable connection between Chitwan and the capital.
Buddha Air Doubles Flight Frequency
Buddha Air, the only airline currently operating regular flights from Bharatpur Airport, has significantly increased its flight frequency to accommodate the sudden rise in passenger demand. According to Bhakta Bahadur Basnet, chief of Buddha Air’s Bharatpur office, the airline has increased its daily flights from the regular five flights to between nine and eleven flights, depending on passenger demand.
The additional flights are aimed at helping travelers who have been stranded by highway disruptions or are choosing air travel to avoid uncertain road conditions during the monsoon season. The increased frequency has provided an important alternative for passengers traveling between Bharatpur and Kathmandu while repair and clearance work continues on affected sections of the highway.
ATR-72 Aircraft Operating Under Runway Limitations
Buddha Air is operating ATR-72 aircraft on the Bharatpur–Kathmandu route. Although the aircraft has a seating capacity of up to 72 passengers, operational limitations at Bharatpur Airport mean that the planes cannot always operate with a full passenger load. Flights arriving from Kathmandu generally carry around 65 to 70 passengers, while departures from Bharatpur typically carry approximately 50 passengers.
The shorter runway at Bharatpur Airport limits the aircraft’s ability to carry its maximum possible payload, particularly under certain operating conditions. Despite this limitation, the increased number of flights has enabled the airline to accommodate substantially more passengers each day.
Travelers From Multiple Districts Rely on Air Connectivity
The disruption at Krishabhir has affected not only passengers from Chitwan but also travelers from surrounding districts, including Nawalparasi, Gorkha, Tanahun, Lamjung, and Makawanpur. Although alternative road routes are available, including travel through Makawanpur toward Kathmandu, many passengers are opting for flights because of concerns over monsoon-related road conditions, landslides, road cave-ins, and possible delays. For travelers with urgent journeys, tourists, business visitors, and passengers connecting through Kathmandu, the Bharatpur–Kathmandu air route has therefore become an increasingly important transportation option.
Increased Flights Support Tourism Connectivity
The rise in flight frequency comes at a critical time for tourism and travel connectivity in central Nepal. Chitwan is a major tourism destination, particularly for visitors traveling to Chitwan National Park and other attractions in the region. Reliable air connectivity between Bharatpur and Kathmandu can help reduce the impact of highway disruptions on tourism movements, particularly during the monsoon when road travel can become unpredictable.
The additional flights are also providing relief to travelers who might otherwise face prolonged delays on disrupted highways. As repair work continues, Buddha Air’s flexible flight schedule is helping maintain a more dependable link between Chitwan and Kathmandu, supporting both local mobility and tourism-related travel.
