Efforts are underway to ensure the regular operation of larger aircraft at Bharatpur Airport, located in Chitwan district. Although various airlines have occasionally conducted flights using larger aircraft, these services have not been regularized.
Bharatpur Airport
A few months ago, Shree Airlines initiated flights with an 80-seater aircraft amid much fanfare. However, the service was soon halted, with no follow-up or consistency in operations. Despite its potential as a vital aviation hub in central Nepal, Bharatpur Airport has yet to see sustained operations of larger aircraft.
Now, Buddha Air, a private domestic carrier that has been operating regular flights since 2005, is taking the initiative to bring larger aircraft into regular operation at the airport. Currently, Buddha Air operates with a 47-seater ATR-42 aircraft on its Bharatpur routes. Today, in a move to explore the viability of larger aircraft, the airline successfully conducted a test flight with its 72-seater ATR-72 aircraft.
The test flight marks a significant step forward in realizing the airport’s potential. The ATR-72, a larger and heavier aircraft compared to the ATR-42, requires a longer runway for safe take-off and landing. At present, Bharatpur Airport has a runway length of 1,200 meters. However, the ATR-72 typically requires at least 1,500 meters of runway length to operate comfortably under normal load conditions.
Despite this limitation, today’s trial was completed without issues. Captain Pramod Thapa, who piloted the aircraft, stated that both the take-off and landing were carried out smoothly. According to him, the flight was conducted under the guidance and instructions of technical officials from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) who were present on board to monitor the flight and assess safety standards.
Deputy Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Dev Chandra Lal Karna, emphasized the importance of thorough evaluation. Speaking after the flight, he said that a complete analysis of today’s test flight data would be conducted before any final decisions are made. “If all aspects are found to be technically and operationally feasible, we may be able to commence regular ATR-72 flights within two months,” Karna added.
Currently, Buddha Air operates seven daily Kathmandu–Bharatpur flights and one daily Bharatpur–Pokhara flight using the ATR-42 aircraft. According to Bhakta Basnet, the station manager of Buddha Air in Bharatpur, the addition of ATR-72 aircraft would significantly enhance capacity, helping meet the rising demand of passengers traveling to and from the Chitwan region.
However, one of the biggest challenges to regular large aircraft operation remains the runway limitation. The existing infrastructure is not fully supportive of larger aircraft, particularly with a short runway that does not meet international standards for bigger planes. One proposed solution has been the relocation of the nearby Nepal Army’s Horse Breeding Center, which is adjacent to the runway. This relocation would allow for an extension of the existing runway, but despite being discussed for years, the plan has yet to materialize.
Bharatpur is a key city in Nepal, known for being a gateway to Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a major center for tourism and medical facilities. The ability to handle larger aircraft regularly could greatly boost not just local connectivity but also tourism and regional economic development.
Experts believe that with increasing air travel demand in Chitwan, especially from tourists, business travelers, and patients traveling for medical services, the ability to accommodate higher-capacity flights will be crucial. However, this will require timely and strategic investments in infrastructure upgrades, particularly runway expansion, airport facility improvements, and operational safety enhancements.
While today’s test flight of the ATR-72 aircraft is a promising development, its success will depend on how quickly and effectively the concerned authorities can address the infrastructure limitations. The people of Chitwan, local businesses, and the tourism sector remain hopeful that Bharatpur Airport will soon be able to handle larger aircraft regularly, opening new doors for development and connectivity in the region.
