Pappu construction which had proudly published about completion of the runway overlaying work of Nepalgunj airport has still not finished the whole project and is currently out of reach of airport authority.
Pappu construction was assigned work of runway overlaying as well as other works that includes grading and drainage work. The company had published about completion of the runway overlaying project of Nepalgunj airport on its social media site, however the work of drainage and grading has still not been completed.
Prem Nath Thakur, Nepalgunj airport chief stated that the construction company is now out of contact and the works are still due. The runway overlaying project was completed on November 16, 2018 and more than a month have passed and the airport is operating without full completion of the work.
On the other hand, the work to extend the airport to make it regional international airport is going on rapidly stated Thakur. The runway of the airport which is 1500 meters long will be extended to 300m in the West and 200m towards the East and along with it other parking bays is set to be upgraded within next 1 and half years and is expected to complete within time frame as per current work flow.
The work of adding 6 parking bays that can accommodate ATR 72-500 series aircraft and construction of canteen and waiting rooms are currently under construction. The work of terminal designing and cost estimation is also being carried out which is set to be completed in a month.
At present, flights to western and far-western region of the country are being carried out from the airport. And it is one of the busiest domestic airports in Nepal acting as a hub of western Nepal. Nepal Airlines, Buddha Air, Shree Airlines, and Yeti Airlines are performing flight to Nepalgunj from Kathmandu (Tribhuvan International Airport) and Tara Air, Sita Air and Summit Air are conducting flight to rural areas from Nepalgunj airport. Around 90 flights during peak seasons are being carried out at the airport.
