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CAAN to Launch Instrument Landing System at Rajbiraj Airport

CAAN to Launch Instrument Landing System at Rajbiraj Airport

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has announced the commencement of the Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and Instrument Landing System (ILS) at Rajbiraj Airport, marking a significant advancement in aviation operations at the airport. According to CAAN’s Information Officer, Gyanendra Bhul, the new system will begin operations on Poush 1 (December 16, 2024).

Bhul further elaborated that the successful completion of a flight test conducted by Buddha Air on Friday, which involved officials and technical teams from both CAAN and the airline, confirmed the proper installation of approach lights and other visual aids required for IFR operations. Following this, Rajbiraj Airport will now be able to handle flights under low visibility conditions, including at night.

With the implementation of IFR and ILS, Rajbiraj Airport will now allow flights with a minimum visibility requirement of 2,000 meters, even during the night. Currently, the airport operates only under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), which requires a visibility of 5,000 meters for flight operations. This upgrade means that, especially in winter when visibility can be low, flight delays and cancellations will decrease, providing passengers with more reliable travel options.

The formal inauguration of IFR and night-time operations at Rajbiraj Airport will take place tomorrow in a special ceremony attended by the Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Badri Pandey, and CAAN’s Director General, E. Pradeep Adhikari. This milestone increases the total number of airports in Nepal with IFR and night-flight capabilities to 10, including international airports in cities such as Dang, Nepalgunj, Simara, Janakpur, Chandragadhi, Biratnagar, and Rajbiraj.

This significant development is expected to enhance the operational efficiency of the airport, benefiting both domestic and international travelers by reducing the impact of adverse weather conditions on flight schedules.

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