With the increase in air traffic at the country’s sole international airport Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), domestic flights are being given priority to operate night flights. In the past, the airport which has been operating international flight at night is currently conducting domestic flights too at night to aid in decreasing air traffic congestion at the only international airport in the country.
Previously, flights at domestic sector were scheduled till 6 PM in the evening whereas at present, domestic sectors flight schedule has been extended till 9 PM. Domestic terminal building starts operation form 5 AM.
Currently, night flights to Biratnagar, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj and Dhangadhi are being operated.
Raj Kumar Chhetri, General Manager of TIA stated that domestic flights are being conducted till 9 PM every day from winter season and arrangement of necessary equipment and manpower are being made at regional hub airport and at international airport for night flights.
At present, process to make Chandragadhi airport of Jhapa and Janakpur airport are also being updated to make them feasible for night operation and process to add runway lights, terminal building management and security arrangements have been done for conducting night flights.
The sole international airport started operating 21 hour a day from May 21 last year and now have been conducting 22 hours since the domestic terminal started operation from 5 AM in the morning.
Buddha Air’s 14 flights, Shree Airlines’ 4 flights and Yeti Airlines’ 7 flights were approved at night time.
The initiation has been taken to address the increasing air traffic and congestion at the TIA and it has been helping towards the problem.
