Industrialists and entrepreneurs from Rupandehi have drawn attention to the demand for the operation of Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa. Siddhartha Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Siddhartha Network Rupandehi, and the Chamber of Commerce, Rupandehi, held a press conference in Bhairahawa today, announcing a phased protest program.
The protest will include demonstrations in front of the airport. The business community stated they would launch a decisive movement for the airport’s operation. Under the leadership of Siddhartha Network Rupandehi, a joint struggle committee has also been formed, comprising all local organizations in the district.
As part of the first phase of the protest, discussions will be held with representatives of various political parties, local government officials, and elected representatives from the federal and provincial levels to gain commitments. There will also be talks with the heads of the relevant airlines, according to the committee coordinator and Siddhartha Network President Anil Kumar Gyawali.
Gyawali further stated that a peaceful protest with thousands of participants, including political parties, the general public, and representatives, will be organized before the airport to issue an ultimatum. Attention will also be drawn through meetings with the Prime Minister, ministers of tourism, finance, labor, health, and secretaries of relevant ministries, along with heads of Nepal Airlines.
Additionally, there will be symbolic protests with black armbands, peaceful rallies, and market parades. If the demands are not met, the second phase of protests will include regular sit-ins and gatherings in front of the airport gates. If international flights still do not resume, protests will also be held at both domestic and international airports.
Gyawali emphasized that all local municipalities, including Siddharthanagar Municipality, must take initiative for the airport’s operation. Currently, no airlines have submitted the required “summer schedule” for international flights from Gautam Buddha International Airport. As a result, only Nepal Airlines is expected to operate one international flight per week from Bhairahawa. Other airlines like Jazeera Airways, Fly Dubai, and Thai AirAsia have not submitted summer schedules.
