During the five-day Dashain festival period, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) has seen a significant influx of travelers, with a total of 237,000 passengers undertaking flights. According to the airport office’s statistics, from Ashwin 24 to 28 (October 10 to 14), a total of 160,910 passengers traveled on domestic flights, while 78,512 opted for international flights.
Rinji Sherpa, the airport spokesperson, reported that from Ashwin 24 (October 10), the day of Fulpaati, until the day before the full moon (Ashwin 30, or October 14), there were 2,940 flights recorded, comprising 2,159 domestic flights and 781 international flights. This total represents the number of round trips made during this festive period.
On Ashwin 24 (October 10), the day of Fulpaati, and Ashwin 26 (October 12), which is celebrated as Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami, both domestic and international flights catered to 63,242 passengers. Overall, from Ashwin 13 to 28 (September 29 to October 14), a staggering 427,946 passengers traveled through TIA. This included 223,847 on domestic flights and 240,099 on international flights.
The airport statistics also indicated that during this two-week period, 6,852 flights were conducted, comprising 5,108 domestic and 1,744 international flights. On Ashwin 14 (October 1) alone, there were 559 flights, serving 35,704 passengers. The increase in air traffic was attributed to heavy rainfall on Ashwin 11 and 12 (September 27 and 28), which caused landslides and blocked road networks across various parts of the country.
The surge in both domestic and international flight activity has resulted in crowded terminals at TIA, with a notable influx of passengers. However, the airport office has indicated that flight operations are returning to normal following the peak traffic period during the festival.
Currently, 30 airlines operate international flights from Tribhuvan International Airport, including three Nepali carriers, while seven airlines provide domestic services. During the Dashain season, major airlines operated on key domestic routes, with Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, and Shree Airlines conducting the highest number of flights. These airlines utilize large and medium-sized aircraft, including ATR 70 and Dash 8 aircraft, while regional carriers such as Summit Air, Tara Air, and Sita Air serve remote destinations, including Lukla. Meanwhile, Nepal Airlines Corporation operates only two aircraft for flights to challenging terrains.
As the Dashain festival draws to a close, TIA continues to play a pivotal role in facilitating travel for locals and international visitors, reflecting the significance of aviation in connecting Nepal’s diverse regions and supporting its tourism industry.
Source: RSS
