-KATHMANDU
Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC), the stated owned flag carrier has recommences its schedule flights to Baglung based Balewa airport from March 29 in coordination with Baglung Municipility to serve the residents at the district.
The airport which remained out of operation for past 26 years has resumed its service as the Tara Air de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter initiated its commercial from March 23 following the NAC’s 18 seated de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter landed at the airstrip on March 29. The expected flight time to Balewa Airport from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) is around 45 minutes and 13 minute flight from Pokhara Airport.
As per the information, NAC and Tara Air will be conducting scheduled flight with its 18 seated STOL aircraft every Sunday. Minimum 12 passengers are required to operate the flight from Baglung to Kathmandu. If 8-9 passengers are there instead of 12, Baglung Municipality has agreed to look after insufficient freight.
A tri-party agreement between Baglung Municipility, Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) and Tara Air was reached on January with this regard on the initiation of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).
The airport previously was also been providing service for emergency purpose but following the closure of airport some sick patients have been reported to lose their lives due to lack of treatment in proper immediate time.
Baglung (Balewa) Airport is situated at Narayanthan Municipality of Baglung District, Province No. 4. At an elevation of 990 m. /3248 ft. above mean sea level. The airport provides the flight service under the Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and has Clay/Grass Surface runway with its dimension of 608 m x 30 meter aligned to 010 degrees and 190 degrees. The airport currently has two parking capacity which can accommodate the STOL aircraft like DHC6 Twin Otter, Harbin Y12 and Cessna Grand Caravan C208.
