Only 33 airports are operational for regular services though the country has 54 airports across the country. Of them, 49 airports are in condition for operation.
According to Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), as many as 14 airports are constructed in Eastern Development Region, eight in Central Development Region, seven in Western Development Region, 10 in Mid-Western Development Region, and nine in Far-West Development Region.
An airport is under-construction at Salle of Rukum and another at Chame of Manang are under- construction these days.
Similarly, some airports are under-construction in some places including in Kalikot district, Khiji Chandeshwari of Okhaldhunga, Masinechaur of Dolpa, Sitaleshwara of Lamjung, Simichaur of Gulmi, and Sukilumba of Ilam.
It is learnt that the government has provided license for the construction of airports at Gaighat of Udayapur district, Shey Phoksundo at Upper Dolpa, Jamdaha of Siraha, Makalu -Barun area of Solukhumbu and in Arghakhanchi districts.
The CAAN has kept in high priority list for the promotion of domestic airports at Dang, Talcha of Mugu, Rumjatar, Bajura, Jufal of Dolpa, Khanidanda of Khotang, Faplu of Solukhumbu.
The government has a plan to blacktop the airports soon. A new terminal building at Janakpur airport is planned to be constructed within this fiscal year, said CAAN Director General, Ratish Chandralal Suman.
Likewise, construction of business complex has been started in old Pokhara airport, which remains useless and in Biratnagar and Bharatpur airports and a plan for construction of a five-star hotel with private sector investment in 90 ropanis of land in Sinamangal of Tribhuwan International Airport owned by the CAAN has been presented to the government.
“We have proposed to give the land on lease for 30 years for construction of a hotel to be built in BOOT model and government is yet to decide. Such hotels are run in airports in various countries of the world,” he said.
The country has only one flight catering service provider company and the Finance Ministry has been urged for permission for such service within the Tribhuwan International Airport premises for 27 airlines operating from the airport, he said.
source: nepalnews.com, 03 Jan 2014
