Domestic flights operating from different part of the country has started making emergency stop at the newly constructed runway at Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA).
The airlines started making emergency stop at the airport since Wednesday. The aircraft of various airlines approaching at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) on Wednesday had to be diverted after sudden change in weather at Kathmandu.
Sudden heavy rainfall started at Wednesday noon leaving aircraft to make stop at GBIA. Flights from airports like Janakpur, Bhadrapur etc. made emergency stop at the airport.
But people at the airport were left unmanaged with no proper disembarkment after the aircraft landed and passengers were left wandering around the airport.
The construction of 3000 meter long runway at Gautam Budhha International Airport (GBIA) was completed on May 22nd. The runway was stated to be used for emergency operation.
Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) official stated about the completion of one of the main aspect of the construction project and other remaining work of the project will also be carried out.
The runway will also be alternative to the only international airport of the country Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) as the runway can hold aircraft that has been currently operation at TIA.
Old runway will be used as taxiway and the government has stated to operate the airport for international flight within this year.
The preparation of lighting and marking on the runway at the airport is also being carried out. The contract has been signed with Aero Thai of Thailand for the work of lighting and marking on the runway.
Nearly 73 per cent of the construction work has been completed.
The works of taxiway and parking bays are also in final level out of 4 and the work is set to be initiated as the work of runway has completed.
Works of Terminal building, control tower, water reservoir and other infrastructure has been going on accordingly.
According to the criteria of the International Civil Aviation Organization, this airport is the ‘Four E’ level airport. This airport is being constructed with a target of providing services to 6 million passengers per year.
After the operation of the runway, 400 meter of taxiway; 200 in east and 200 on west side will be extended. The project has also planned to use old runway as the parallel taxiway in future.
The airport will be the country’s second international airport and is expected to minimize the traffic congestion of TIA. The runway of the airport is 3,000 meters long and 45 meter wide and is set to have CAT I standard Instrument Landing System (ILS).
