-KATHMANDU
Surkhet Airport, a major hub after Nepalgunj airport in the Mid-Western Region will be featuring with direct flight service from the Capital city, Kathmandu. A tri-party agreement to this regard was reached on Wednesday (March 21, 2018).
As per the talk held at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA), two airline companies Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) and Buddha Air had agreed to operate direct flights to the airport.
Meeting held between Rabindra Adhikari, the recently appointed Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA), Chief Minister of Karnali Province along with the Province Ministers had discussed about a plan to recommence the flights to the airport which could enhance the tourism business that has been affected due to lack of efficient air service. Traders say that tourists are less likely to arrive due to the lack of air service even though there are attractive tourist destinations here.
Both the airline in the agreement had assured to conduct the flights within a couple of week. Mr. Rupesh Joshi, Marketing Director from Buddha Air acknowledged that the airline will conduct the first test flight to the aerodrome within 15 days from the meeting held.
Likewise, Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) Managing Director Mr. Sugat Ratna Kansakar stated to commence direct flight to the airport from April 04, 2018 (Chaitra 21, 2074)
Surkhet Airport is situated at Birendranagar Municipality of Surkhet District, Province No. 6. It is one of the moderately busy airports of Nepal, serves most of the remote sectors of the western part of the country with whole Karnali zone – Jumla, Humla, Kalikot, Mugu and Dolpa – together with Bajura and at times Rukum as well. This airport is strategically important for the transportation of food grains, clothes, medicines, iodine-mixed salt, construction materials, office goods, school materials like books and stationeries as well as other commercial goods.
The aerodrome features a single asphalt concrete runway with Dimension 1255 m x 30 m and orientation of 02/20. The apron of the airport can accommodate 5 aircraft at a time like B190, D228, DHC6, L410, Y12, C208.
