Buddha Air, the leading domestic carrier claims to have achieved another milestone in Nepali aviation by successfully setting up RNAV operations at Bhadrapur Airport with the help and coordination of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) today. With the setup of RNAV, night flights are now possible at Bhadrapur. It is through RNAV (Area Navigation) that flights can be done even under low visibility and there was even installation of runway lights at Bhadrapur Airport. This allows night flights to be operated safely as well. This technology has been adopted worldwide for safe air operations.
As this technology was not available at Bhadrapur Airport, airlines had to cancel or delay flights to Bhadrapur due to low visibility and flights could not be operated after sunset. This led to a huge burden on travelers and financial burden on airline operators.
Bhadrapur is the gateway to eastern Nepal and districts like Jhapa, Ilam, Panchthar and Taplejung. Moreover, Bhadrapur also connects travelers cities in India like Siliguri, Darjeeling, Sikkim and even to Bhutan and Bangladesh as well.
With the aim of providing the safest, most reliable and comfortable means of air transport, domestic flights have been instrumental in changing the landscape of Bhadrapur. Domestic and international travelers fly to Bhadrapur daily. This has led to an increase in employment and expansion of local market and tourism in Bhadrapur.
It was through Buddha Air’s initiative that there was air refueling facility at Bhadrapur Airport. Buddha Air expressed their thankfulness to the efforts of CAAN in this endeavor.
Last year, due to bad weather and low visibility, airline operators, including Buddha Air were forced to cancel flights between Kathmandu and Bhadrapur. With the growing demand of passengers and airline operators, CAAN had started installing RNAV technology 6 months ago at Bhadrapur Airport. Since night flights were necessary, runway lights were also installed. This would ensure that the chances of flights being cancelled due to bad weather or low visibility is negligible.
CAAN’s team also helped in successfully implementing infrastructures for RNAV and runway light installation at Dhangadhi Airport a few months ago. This has allowed airline operators to conduct safe night flights to Dhangadhi Airport as well. With close coordination with CAAN, Buddha Air is more hoprful to expand infrastructures to other airports in Tumlingtar, Surkhet and Bharatpur as well.
In the coming months, Janakpur Airport will be equipped with RNAV technology. This has been done in collaboration with Buddha Air, CAAN and airport authorities of Janakpur. Once test flight is successful, Buddha Air will be operating commercial night flight to Janakpur Airport as well.
