The free shuttle bus service operating from Surkhet Airport has been expanded to improve transportation facilities for passengers travelling through Karnali Province’s primary air gateway.
The expansion decision was made following an inspection and monitoring visit to the airport and shuttle service by Mukunda Prasad Niraula on Thursday. During the visit, Secretary Niraula directed airport authorities to extend the shuttle bus route for the convenience of travellers.
Shuttle Route Extended up to Main Urban Areas
Following the directive, Airport Chief Hirajan Kafle under the Surkhet Civil Aviation Office announced the expansion of the free shuttle bus service.
According to a public notice issued by the office, the expanded shuttle service will officially come into operation from Friday.
Previously, the free shuttle bus operated only between Surkhet Airport and Tinkune Chowk. Under the expanded arrangement, the service route will now extend from the airport through Ghantaghar Chowk and Mangalgadhi Chowk before reaching Tinkune Chowk.
Airport Chief Kafle stated that the extension aims to provide easier transportation access for passengers travelling between the airport and major areas of Birendranagar city.
Rising Passenger Flow Creates Transportation Challenges
Surkhet Airport has increasingly emerged as a major aviation hub for tourism, trade and administrative activities in Karnali Province.
With regular daily flights from Kathmandu and growing numbers of passengers travelling onward to Karnali’s Himalayan districts, transportation management around the airport area had become increasingly challenging in recent months.
Officials say the expansion of the shuttle service is expected to ease passenger movement and reduce congestion around the airport and urban areas.
Service Targets Tourists, Senior Citizens and First-Time Visitors
According to Secretary Mukunda Prasad Niraula, the expanded service has been designed particularly to support domestic air travellers, tourists, senior citizens and first-time visitors arriving in Surkhet.
He said the initiative would reduce the burden on passengers who previously had to rely on expensive private transportation to travel between the airport and the city center.
Officials believe the expanded route will significantly improve accessibility and passenger convenience while supporting the broader development of tourism and public transportation infrastructure in Karnali Province.
Local Businesses Expect Positive Impact
Local business communities have welcomed the initiative, stating that improved airport connectivity with Birendranagar will directly benefit tourism, hospitality and service-related sectors.
Stakeholders say easier transportation access from the airport to key commercial areas is expected to encourage greater visitor movement, improve the overall travel experience and strengthen Surkhet’s role as the gateway to Karnali’s tourism destinations.
