Nepal is working towards enhancing regional air travel and promoting tourism growth, as the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has ordered the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to conduct studies on the development and expansion of Tarigaun Airport in Dang and Rara Airport in Mugu. The development directive was issued following an inspection and observation visit led by the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Khadka Raj Paudel, to the Nepalgunj, Dang, Rara and Jumla airports from October 7 to 12, 2026.
After a meeting with the officials of the CAAN at the ministry on October 15, the minister ordered the authority to continue its efforts to carry out the studies on the expansion of these airports. The planned studies will determine the potential for the development and expansion of the two airports’ infrastructure, technical aspects, operations, and opportunities for the improvement of air services to make them easily accessible to the people as well as promote tourism in the region.
Dang Airport Study to Enhance Regional Connectivity
The study on Tarigaun Airport in Dang will involve exploring the opportunity to develop and expand the airport to make air travel easy, accessible, and convenient for locals and tourists. As stated by the Director General of the CAAN, Mukesh Dangol, the assessment will also involve identifying the technical aspects of the development and expansion of the airport.
In addition, improved air travel facilities at the airport will help enhance tourist visits to the area and promote local tourism. This, in turn, will create job opportunities and boost the local economy as the area is considered to be a potential religious, cultural, and nature tourism destination. On the other hand, the scope of the development of the airport is yet to be determined, as it includes a technical study.
Rara Airport Study to Evaluate Potential for Expansion
Likewise, the technical study on Rara Airport in Mugu will include examining the opportunities to expand the airport and upgrade the infrastructure to improve the operations. The director general of the CAAN, Dangol, added that the minister had also ordered the technical feasibility study of constructing a new airport in an alternative location if found unsuitable. Rara Lake is one of the most popular natural destinations in Nepal that attracts many tourists.
Hence, upgraded aviation infrastructure to support easy and cheap travel to the region would boost the local tourism industry. In fact, improved regional connectivity would facilitate the transportation of tourists visiting nearby destinations, as the road journey to the area from major cities is long and difficult. The new airport infrastructure would also create job opportunities and promote other tourism-related business opportunities in the region. On the other hand, the potential location for the new airport and its infrastructure is yet to be studied and identified.
CAAN Ordered to Finalize Technical Aspects of the Airport Study
The minister has also ordered the CAAN to prioritize the technical aspects, studies, and identification of the infrastructure needs and future development plan for the airports in Dang and Mugu. In addition, the technical assessment will help the CAAN understand the future course of action to upgrade and improve the aviation infrastructure. The minister and his team also inspected the Nepalgunj and Jumla airports. However, the directions issued by the minister emphasized enhancing the facilities and services at Tarigaun Airport in Dang and Rara Airport in Mugu. The technical assessment will help determine the future of the two airports.
Airports Development to Further Enhance Tourism
An improved aviation system can help make regional destinations easily accessible to tourists. This will have a positive impact on the local economies as increased tourism usually results in higher revenue and new job opportunities. The study on the development and expansion of airports in Dang and Mugu will be crucial to determining how to improve and enhance Nepal’s tourism sector through upgraded aviation infrastructure. However, the technical aspects of the study have yet to be finalized. The technical feasibility, cost, and practicality of the project will determine the future of the two airports.
