The government has initiated comprehensive plans to bring Gautam Buddha International Airport and Pokhara International Airport into full operation. Despite being completed for a significant time, both airports have struggled to maintain regular international flights. To address this, the government is set to introduce various incentives, including attractive packages for airlines.
During a meeting on August 12, the Cabinet approved an action plan for the overall improvement of the civil aviation sector, including specific plans for the operation of both international airports. In alignment with the government’s policy, Nepal Oil Corporation has decided to offer discounts on aviation fuel for international flights operating from these airports, starting from August 17. The fuel price will be reduced by USD 100 per kiloliter until further notice, according to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies.
The government’s strategy to bring the airports into full operation includes providing discounts on aviation fuel and air tickets. On August 15, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli chaired a meeting with relevant ministers and officials to discuss the options and measures to fully operationalize both airports. The meeting deliberated on providing additional incentives based on recommendations from a task force studying the issue.
The Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation has developed a plan to offer discounts on air tickets, ground handling, and aviation fuel until September 2026 to fully operationalize the airports. The government has also decided to waive the tourism board’s per-ticket fees and Value Added Tax (VAT) on air tickets at these airports during the same period.
In coordination with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, the government has devised a plan to offer fuel at lower prices in Bhairahawa compared to Kathmandu. The Ministries of Labor and Foreign Affairs will manage the operations of immigration offices and visa centers.
Earlier, on August 2, Prime Minister Oli held a high-level discussion on fully operationalizing Pokhara International Airport and Gautam Buddha International Airport. The meeting focused on managing the current flight pressure and passenger handling at Tribhuvan International Airport and exploring options to enhance operations at both airports. The Prime Minister directed relevant authorities to create an environment conducive to regular international flights from both airports.
Prime Minister Oli emphasized the importance of addressing the operational challenges at the two international airports, which have not been fully utilized, leading to losses. He also highlighted the need to relieve Tribhuvan International Airport from its overburdened operations.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Oli met with airline operators to discuss issues in the aviation sector. During the meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in Singha Durbar, he consulted with operators on improving the aviation sector and addressing its challenges. The Prime Minister urged operators to focus on enhancing aviation safety and to propose solutions for existing problems. He also expressed interest in the “dollar fare” system for air tickets.
The European Union (EU) has placed Nepal’s aviation sector on its safety list, and the Prime Minister urged operators to take initiatives to lift this ban.
In related news, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has granted permission to Thai AirAsia for flights from Thailand to Nepal. The airline will operate four weekly flights from Bhairahawa and three from Kathmandu, starting from September 19. Similarly, Kuwait’s Jazeera Airways has submitted documents to CAAN, seeking permission to resume flights to Gautam Buddha International Airport from October 6, with plans to operate three weekly flights.
Gautam Buddha International Airport has been in operation since May 16, 2022, while Pokhara International Airport was inaugurated six months later. Despite a few international flights from Bhairahawa, Pokhara Airport has yet to see regular commercial international flights, aside from chartered services.
