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Tourism Minister Badriprasad Pandey Prioritizes Operation of Gautam Buddha and Pokhara International Airports

Tourism Minister Badriprasad Pandey Prioritizes Operation of Gautam Buddha and Pokhara International Airports

Tourism, Culture, and Civil Aviation Minister Badriprasad Pandey has stated that the operation of Gautam Buddha International Airport and Pokhara International Airport is a top priority for the government.

In a press release issued today, Minister Pandey emphasized that, since assuming office, he has focused on advancing the operationalization of both airports. This statement comes as four international airlines recently commenced flights at Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa on Friday and Saturday.

“I made the operation of these two airports a top priority as soon as I took office. We have formed a recommendation committee with representatives from relevant ministries, and based on their suggestions, we made decisions to reduce fuel costs and provide tax exemptions, which paved the way for the current flights,” said Minister Pandey.

He also highlighted that Pokhara International Airport has seen international chartered flights this week and efforts are ongoing to secure additional flights for the airport.

Minister Pandey further mentioned that the full operation of these airports, which have involved substantial capital investment, requires the development of interlinked infrastructure, including transportation, hotels, immigration facilities, and labor resources. He acknowledged that while these developments may take some time, the government is committed to completing them in phases.

The minister also pointed out that large-scale infrastructure projects like international airports take time to reach full operational capacity. He explained that although the construction of Bhairahawa Airport is complete, technical challenges remain, such as the installation of the Instrumental Landing System (ILS) and the need for clearance from neighboring India for smooth air routes. These issues have delayed the full-scale operation of the airport, and discussions are still ongoing.

Minister Pandey reassured that the government is committed to addressing these technical challenges and bringing the airports to their full potential in the near future.

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