Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to systematically upgrade and enhance the effectiveness of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), Nepal’s sole international air gateway. Speaking during a meeting of the International Relations and Tourism Committee under the House of Representatives at Singha Durbar today, the minister laid out plans to streamline services, address infrastructure challenges, and improve overall passenger experience at TIA.
Strategic Action Plan in Motion for Airport Reform
Minister Pandey informed lawmakers that the Ministry has moved ahead with a strategic action plan to revamp TIA. “We are putting serious efforts into making TIA well-managed,” he said. “A coordinated plan is being implemented to make services more efficient and the airport environment more organized.”
To drive the reform forward, a dedicated committee under the leadership of TIA’s General Manager has been formed. This committee includes representatives from immigration, customs, security agencies, airlines, and other key stakeholders. The minister shared that the committee will soon submit a detailed report outlining its reform strategy, which the Ministry will use to further accelerate service improvements.
Overcrowding and Infrastructure Limitations Remain Major Challenges
While acknowledging the ongoing reform efforts, Minister Pandey was candid about the limitations of the current airport infrastructure. Compared to other countries, he admitted, TIA is spatially restricted. “The terminal and other physical structures are not sufficient to accommodate the increasing number of travelers,” he explained.
He added that due to the close proximity of the aircraft bay to the terminal building, passengers disembark from planes and arrive at the terminal faster than in many other countries. However, this often creates a false impression of delays as passengers are then left waiting longer for their baggage. “In other countries, passengers take more time walking from the aircraft to the terminal, so the overall wait feels balanced. But here, it seems like there’s a long delay,” he said.
Overcapacity Issues: TIA Handling Double Its Intended Passenger Volume
The minister revealed that TIA was designed to handle 4.5 million passengers annually, but the airport has already processed 9.5 million travelers this year, more than double its capacity. Despite the pressure, he said, the government is doing its best to make the experience smoother and more efficient for passengers.
He reiterated that the Ministry is working to mitigate the effects of overcrowding and is considering further structural improvements and resource allocation to expand the airport’s functionality in the short term.
Visa Facilitation for Mount Kailash Pilgrims
Addressing concerns regarding delays in visa processing for Mount Kailash-bound pilgrims, Minister Pandey assured the committee that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will engage with the Chinese Embassy to ease and expedite visa procedures. He acknowledged that delayed visa approvals have resulted in many pilgrims, particularly foreign nationals, being stuck in Kathmandu hotels, awaiting travel clearance.
Parliamentary Feedback on the Civil Aviation Authority Bill 2081
The committee meeting also held discussions with amendment proposers on the Civil Aviation Authority Bill, 2081. During the debate, several Members of Parliament stressed the importance of strengthening Nepal’s aviation legal framework to ensure safe, reliable, and well-regulated air services.
MP Bhanubhakta Joshi, Sher Bahadur Kunwar, and Prakash Jwala emphasized that the bill should be improved to enhance national air safety standards. Similarly, MP Roshan Karki noted the urgency and relevance of the bill and pushed for its swift conclusion.
MP Prem Suwal raised the issue of reforming Nepal Airlines Corporation’s management and emphasized the need to develop a well-equipped international airport to handle Nepal’s increasing air traffic. Likewise, MP Eknath Dhakal stressed the importance of making TIA organized, accessible, safe, and traveler-friendly. He urged the Ministry to prioritize long-term planning to address current inefficiencies.
MPs Demand Timely Visa Processing for Tourists
MP Shisir Khanal highlighted the pressing issue of visa delays for pilgrims and tourists, stating that hundreds of foreign travelers are currently stranded in hotels in Kathmandu due to the backlog. He urged the minister to take immediate diplomatic steps to streamline the visa process, especially for religious and seasonal travelers.
Other members of the committee, including MP Prabhu Sah and Dr. Amaresh Kumar Singh, also raised various concerns and recommendations that they believe should be incorporated into the aviation bill. They emphasized that a comprehensive legal and institutional framework is essential not only for improving Nepal’s air safety but also for boosting its global reputation as a tourist destination.
Moving Toward Modern, Efficient Air Travel Infrastructure
As Nepal’s air passenger traffic continues to grow rapidly, fueled by post-pandemic recovery, a surge in tourism, and increased outbound travel, the challenges facing Tribhuvan International Airport have become more pronounced. However, today’s meeting demonstrated a unified political and administrative commitment to address these issues through collaborative reforms, modern planning, and international coordination.
Minister Pandey concluded by reaffirming that the Ministry is ready to work with all stakeholders, governmental and private, to realize a more efficient, safer, and globally competitive airport. He stated, “While we cannot change geography, we can certainly change management, and that’s what we are striving for at TIA.” As Nepal’s aviation sector stands at a critical juncture, the coming months will be crucial in translating these commitments into visible, lasting improvements.
