Flight operations at Resunga Airport have been suspended for over a month following the grounding of Nepal Airlines Corporation’s (NAC) two Twin Otter aircraft. The suspension has left passengers in the region facing significant challenges.
According to Suman Thapa, Station Chief of NAC at Resunga, the halt in services has disrupted travel for many. NAC began commercial flights to Gulmi on April 11, 2023, with up to three flights per week. In response to increasing passenger demand, the frequency was later increased to four flights a week.
However, mechanical issues have plagued the limited fleet of Twin Otter aircraft, gradually reducing the number of weekly flights and eventually leading to a complete suspension of services. “The engines of the aircraft have reached the end of their operational cycle and are undergoing maintenance, which will take more time,” Thapa stated.
Before the suspension, NAC operated flights from Kathmandu to Resunga Airport every Thursday using an 18-seater Twin Otter aircraft. Flights departed Kathmandu at 6:30 AM and returned from Resunga at 7:30 AM. Ticket prices were set at NPR 7,500 for Kathmandu to Resunga and NPR 7,300 for Resunga to Kathmandu. Flights were only conducted in the morning due to strong afternoon winds in the area.
In 21 months of operation, NAC completed 90 one-way flights, serving 2,253 passengers. The resumption of flights had contributed to a noticeable increase in the number of domestic and international tourists visiting the Gulmi district. However, the grounding of aircraft has halted this upward trend, affecting tourism growth and passenger convenience.
Despite high demand for flights, NAC has been unable to maintain regular services due to a lack of operational aircraft. Local authorities and residents are urging for quicker maintenance and an expansion of the fleet to ensure the resumption of flights and sustainable growth in tourism and connectivity.
The Resunga Airport team is optimistic that maintenance efforts will restore services soon, but until then, passengers and local businesses face ongoing challenges due to the absence of regular flights.