As demand surges for full-capacity operations at Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) in Bhairahawa, several airlines that currently operate flights are preparing to suspend their services. Thai Air Asia, Jazeera Airways, Fly Dubai, and Qatar Airways have announced their decision to halt operations at GBIA starting March 31, 2025.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), airlines unwilling to operate during the winter due to fog and mist are now extending their suspension into the summer season, shifting their focus to Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport instead.
Currently, Fly Dubai operates a daily flight connecting Dubai-Bhairahawa-Kathmandu-Dubai, while Jazeera Airways conducts three weekly flights from Kuwait to Bhairahawa. Similarly, Thai Air Asia operates a weekly flight from Bangkok. Qatar Airways had already ceased operations to Bhairahawa some time ago. Meanwhile, Nepal Airlines has introduced four weekly flights on the Kathmandu-Bhairahawa-Dubai route to facilitate connectivity.
Airlines Cite Operational Challenges Despite Passenger Growth
Previously, airlines had suspended flights to GBIA in the last week of Mangsir (December), citing frequent disruptions due to heavy fog during winter. However, flight operations resumed in mid-January following improvements in weather conditions and the implementation of the satellite-based Required Navigation Performance with Authorization Required (RNP-AR) system, which allows safer landings even in low visibility.
Despite these improvements, airlines are now canceling flights again, claiming inadequate cargo volume and an insufficient number of passengers. This contradicts data from Gautam Buddha International Airport, which indicates a steady rise in passenger numbers.
Between January and March 20, 2025, a total of 13,181 passengers took off and landed at Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA). In 2024, the number of international passengers was 8,157, but within just the first three months of 2025, the figure has already surpassed 13,000. Moreover, 5,037 travelers used the airport in just the first 20 days of March 2025, further challenging the airlines’ assertion of low demand.
Airlines Yet to Reapply for Flight Permits
According to Binod Singh Rawat, Information Officer at GBIA, airlines’ flight permits to operate at the airport expire on March 31. They must seek reauthorization from the government to resume flights for the summer season. However, with only a day remaining until the license expiration, no airline has submitted an application. Without a renewed license, airlines are not permitted to continue their services to Bhairahawa.
CAAN has granted airlines permission to suspend flights between March 31, 2025, and October 25, 2025 (Chaitra 18, 2081, to Kartik 8, 2082). Airlines have made it clear that they will not be operating flights to GBIA during the summer season, choosing instead to focus their resources on flights to Kathmandu.
Concerns Over Economic and Industrial Impact
The decision to halt international flights at GBIA has raised concerns among local business owners, industrialists, and merchants. Despite operational improvements and an increase in passenger traffic, the airport is at risk of being underutilized, affecting the region’s economy and business prospects.
Netra Prasad Acharya, President of the Siddhartha Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Rupandehi, has urged the government to take immediate action to ensure the continuation of existing airline services while also working to attract more carriers to operate at GBIA.
Need for Government and Regulatory Intervention
Pratap Babu Tiwari, General Manager of GBIA, emphasized that despite efforts to enhance airport operations, airlines have shown little interest in continuing flights. In April/May 2024, an action plan was introduced to ensure the airport’s smooth operation, with initiatives taken through CAAN and relevant authorities. However, airlines have yet to respond positively.
To encourage airlines to continue operations, the airport has introduced various incentives, including the installation of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and the alternative satellite-based RNP-AR system. Additionally, Tiwari has urged the concerned ministries and CAAN to implement measures ensuring the long-term viability of GBIA. These measures include establishing labor permit processing centers and health check-up visa centers at the airport, a decision previously agreed upon by the Council of Ministers.
Tiwari also called on airlines to reconsider their decision to halt operations at GBIA, emphasizing that any operational challenges could be addressed through mutual dialogue and cooperation between airlines and regulatory authorities.
The Future of Gautam Buddha International Airport
With airlines opting to withdraw from Bhairahawa, the future of GBIA remains uncertain despite its increasing passenger traffic. The airport plays a crucial role in providing an alternative to Kathmandu’s congested Tribhuvan International Airport, and its underutilization could hinder Nepal’s aviation growth.
Unless proactive measures are taken by the government and aviation authorities, GBIA risks falling short of its potential as a major international gateway. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether airlines will return to GBIA or if further actions will be required to sustain its operations.
