Jumla airport has been scheduled to be closed again for around 20 days for renovation work. The airport had previously halted its operation for renovation work for couple of months.
Last October, the airport had stated to halt its operation for about a month for the maintenance. Though the airport was stated to be closed for a month, it nearly took around couple of months to come into operation.
The airport resumed its operation with partial work left to be completed and now the airport is set to be closed for 20 days to complete the work stated airport Chief Kailash Sharma. The airport is continuing maintenance work before and after closure of the airport he added.
Sharma stated that the airport is set to fully halt its operation from Thursday onward in order to complete the work rapidly.
The human resource and equipment required for maintenance have already been brought and the airport maintenance is set to be paced up.
The maintenance and up-gradation project will cover runway and parking area at the airport which have been degraded lately. The airport runway was blacktopped last winter thus it has worn out again.
Last year, after the closure of the airport, the airport was set to come into operation by the end of November. However, the project took longer than expected and locals had expressed anger towards delay in completion of the project.
The runway length is 670 meter which accommodates Twin Otter and Dornier aircraft. But if the runway length could have been more, it would be more convenient and safer, informed pilots as well as Mayor of ChandanNath Municipality previously.
The closure of the airport will make impact flights to Surkhet and Nepalgunj. Tara, Sita, Summit and Nepal airlines provide service at the airport.
The closest airports to Jumla are Juphal Airport at Dolpa, Bajura Airport at Bajura and Rukumkot Chaurjahari Airport at Rukumkot.
