Resunga Airport in Gulmi has resumed flights to restore air connectivity between Kathmandu and the district, which could boost visitor numbers. Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) flew a flight on Tuesday, October 13, after the last recorded flight on June 7 2026, as reported by the airport officials. The airport has a routine of three days a week of service on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday, but the flights for the most part had been suspended due to unfavourable weather during the monsoon and the drop in the number of passengers following the increase in airfares.
Three Weekly Flights Between Kathmandu and Gulmi in Resunga Airport
According to the station chief at Resunga Airport, Suman Thapa, Nepal Airlines uses an 18-seater Twin Otter to fly between the capital and the district. The flights leave Kathmandu at 6:30 am while the return service from Resunga is at 7:30 am. The last flight was the first after months of suspension, but the continuation of the regular service would depend on the weather and the demand for the service. Thapa said poor weather during the rainy season was one of the main factors for the cancellation of the flights. The increase in airfares was also a contributing factor which impacted the number of passengers opting for the service despite the good weather.
Airfares Revised Following Fuel Price Increase
The one-way fare from Gulmi to Kathmandu is Rs 10,500 while the fare from Kathmandu to Gulmi is Rs 10,700. Previously, the fare from Gulmi to Kathmandu was Rs 7,300 while the fare from Kathmandu to Gulmi was Rs 7,500. The revision in the airfares was due to the increase in the price of aviation fuel, which impacted the operations on the Kathmandu-Gulmi route. The flight on Tuesday recorded 13 passengers travelling from Kathmandu to Gulmi, while two passengers were returning from Gulmi to Kathmandu. The variation in the number of passengers is an indication of the potential challenge in maintaining the regular service, as the increased fare would impact the demand for the service.
Improved Air Access for Gulmi Tourism From Resunga Airport
The resumption of the flights to and from Resunga Airport presents an opportunity for enhancing the number of visitors to Gulmi district. The district is a tourist destination with its landscapes, religious sites and Resunga Hill among the attractions. Domestic tourists and other visitors can consider air travel as an option that would help reduce the time taken to travel from Kathmandu. However, the regular air service would depend on good weather, demand for the service and the availability of routine flights. The improvement in air connectivity could enhance the potential of tourism in Gulmi and boost the number of visitors to the district.
