Air services at Suketar Airport in the district have been disrupted, causing problems for passengers. The Nepal Airlines Corporation’s two aircraft, which operate flights from Suketar, have been grounded due to technical issues since the last week of Mangsir.
According to the airport office, one aircraft has been under repair since Dashain (September/October), and the other has been grounded since the first week of Poush (December). Due to the prolonged suspension of air services, both domestic and international tourists, as well as the general public, have been unable to access services. A few years ago, Sita Air and Tara Air operated flights during the tourist season, but both have since stopped their services.
Nepal Airlines Corporation’s Twin Otter aircraft had been operating regular flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays before Dashain, but after the festival, only Friday flights were available.
Although an official notice stated that flights would resume on March 4 (Falgun 20), operations have not started due to the unavailability of aircraft, according to Senior Officer Dharmendra Khanal of Suketar Airport. He mentioned that while weather conditions occasionally pose a challenge, the main issue this time has been the breakdown of the aircraft.
The prolonged halt in air services has impacted the tourism sector in Taplejung, and residents are facing difficulties in traveling. Tourists have not been able to access air services, and people needing medical treatment or to travel for other urgent matters must now go to airports in Jhapa or Biratnagar. Locals are urging the concerned authorities to take immediate action to address the issue for easier travel.
