India has limited entry for flights coming into Nepal to a single access point: Simara. Despite Nepal’s longstanding request for additional entry points, India has not granted them, creating challenges, particularly for flights headed to Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa.
On Tuesday, a Qatar Airways wide-body flight from Doha had to enter Nepal via Simara, and then reroute to Bhairahawa, resulting in extra flying distance. This added route increases flight duration and fuel consumption, leading to higher operating costs. Airlines ultimately pass these costs on to passengers, raising airfares.
One reason airlines are hesitant to operate flights to Bhairahawa is the restriction of having only one entry route from India. Although flights departing from Nepal can use various routes when traveling abroad, flights from India to Nepal are limited to entering through Simara alone.
For years, Nepal has requested India to allow additional entry routes, yet India has consistently disregarded these appeals. The single entry point continues to create operational difficulties for airlines flying into Nepal via India, impacting both the aviation sector and travelers.
