Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has stated that it is vulnerable to operate Bharatpur airport in the present state. A high level committee conducted on-site inspection of the airport located at Chitwan.
The 3 member committee under deputy director general of CAAN studied the current situation of the airport suggested that the airport should be upgraded and expanded immediately.
The team suggested that the Bharatpur airport should be upgraded and the work is set to be started so as to operate the airport in modern style in full capacity during a discussion with the Bharatpur metropolitan head Renu Dahal.
The team suggested that the airport site is in vulnerable state and operating in such situation is not safe as well thus upgrading and expansion of the airport must be started immediately.
The team stated that the runway should be of 1500 meter length whereas there is only around 1200 meter lengthy runway at the airport of which only 900 meter can be used due to other infrastructures around the airport.
Due to short runway, there will be technical complication on the aircraft as well as the danger of crashing around the buildings and other infrastructures near the airport is high due to which bigger aircraft with high capacity cannot operate at the airport.
CAAN has planned to acquire land around army barrack nearby to expand the airport and Bharatpur airport head has stated to conclude the problem by studying the current situation and study along with possible plans and prepare a report soon.
The airport which started its service since 1961 has been experiencing momentous growth in air traffic these days and the airport has become narrower after significant increase in air traffic, urbanization and lack of sufficient land infrastructure.
According to the committee formed to report the physical structure against the airport standards, they found 257 houses build permanently around the airport that has resulted adverse problem.
The Bharatpur Civil Aviation Authority has recommended the metropolis to demolish parts of high-rise buildings, which have raised concerns among aviation authorities over potential risks they could pose to fight safety around the airport premises.
Presently, Jetstream 41 aircraft of Yeti airlines, Beechcraft 1900C aircraft of Simrik Airlines and ATR 42 series aircraft of Buddha Air having regular scheduled flights in Bharatpur airport have been impacted.
1200 meters long and 30 meters wide runway could be extend by adding 300 meters and the parking bay is stated to be expanded. After completion of extension work of parking bay, 4 ATR-72 aircraft can be parked at a time. Presently, 4 Beech craft aircraft can be parked at a time.
Bharatpur airport conducts 24 flights daily where 1000 air passengers take services everyday. The airport has been providing service since 2018 BS to peoples of Hetauda, Tanahu and Gorkha.
