Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) is set to undergo a significant expansion starting from Kartik 23, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). For approximately five months, flights will be suspended for 10 hours daily to facilitate the construction work, which aims to enhance the airport’s capacity.
The Airport Capacity Enhancement Project will expand the airport’s southwest parallel taxiway, the northern international apron, and the eastern hangar apron, at an estimated cost of NPR 15 billion. CAAN’s Director General, Pradip Adhikari, mentioned that the parallel taxiway will run alongside the runway, increasing the runway’s capacity by 20–25%, thus improving air traffic management efficiency.
During the upgrade, all flights between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. will be halted, as per CAAN’s guidelines. Currently, the airport operates from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily. Dipendra Shrestha, the project’s chief, noted that the flight suspension prioritizes safety.
CAAN has also urged domestic and international airlines to operate from Gautam Buddha and Pokhara International Airports, in alignment with Nepal’s bilateral and multilateral aviation agreements. The authority has advised airlines to adhere to legal fare limits and avoid unfair aviation practices.
Currently, Nepal has three international airports, with Gautam Buddha and Pokhara International Airports joining TIA’s 74-year legacy. TIA hosts over 300 domestic flights and around 100 international flights daily, with 19 domestic and 30 international airlines, including 11 helicopter companies, using the airport.
History of TIA’s Expansion and Maintenance
TIA, Nepal’s oldest international airport, has undergone several upgrades and repairs. In 2077 BS, the runway was extended to 3,300 meters, which required a 12-hour daily closure for maintenance. Previously, in 2075 BS, the runway underwent a four-month resurfacing project, which necessitated a 10-hour daily closure and a 30% reduction in flights.
Source: RSS
