Thai AirAsia to Resume Flights from Gautam Buddha International Airport from October 26

After six months without international flights, Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa will see flights resume from October 26, with Thai AirAsia operating twice weekly.

Airport General Manager Pratap Babu Tiwari confirmed that Thai AirAsia has received permission for two weekly flights. “Thai AirAsia will start operations on October 26. Other airlines, including Jazeera Airways, are also in the pipeline,” Tiwari added. He noted that coordination between Jazeera Airways’ country director and the airport is ongoing, with flights expected to begin after the Tihar festival.

Temporary Halt of International Flights

During maintenance at Tribhuvan International Airport in April, four foreign airlines operated from Bhairahawa, with up to 20 flights per week. In the five months prior to the suspension of regular international flights, over 200 flights transported approximately 7,000 passengers. Since then, only a few charter flights have operated.

Airport History and Past Operations

The airport was inaugurated on Jestha 2, 2079 BS (May 16, 2022), coinciding with the 2,566th Buddha Jayanti. After the inauguration, airlines including Nepal Airlines, Fly Dubai (UAE), Jazeera Airways (Kuwait), Thai AirAsia (Thailand), and Himalaya Airlines began commercial operations.

However, the absence of regular international flights caused concern among hotels and tourism businesses. Netra Acharya, President of the Siddharth Industry and Commerce Association, stated that nearly NPR 1 trillion has been invested in the Bhairahawa area, including airport-targeted infrastructure. Due to flight suspensions, many business owners struggled to repay loans, and some were forced to sell hotels or leave projects incomplete.

Flight Statistics

• In the past year, 556 international arrivals and departures were recorded at Gautam Buddha International Airport.
• Over five years, 1,057 flights operated, carrying 29,621 inbound passengers and 31,641 outbound passengers, totaling 61,254 travelers.
• In the current fiscal year, only 10 charter flights have operated.

During FY 2081–82, airlines recorded 278 international departures and 278 arrivals, with 12,830 passengers arriving and 11,128 departing, according to Airport Information Officer Binod Singh Rawat.

Historical data:

• FY 2078/79: 56 flights, 6,318 passengers
• FY 2079/80: 315 flights, 28,998 passengers
• FY 2080/81: 120 flights, 1,976 passengers

Government Incentives for Airlines

To attract foreign airlines, the government offers several incentives:

• NPR 3,000 per passenger service fee waiver on international tickets
• Full exemption on parking, landing, and navigation fees
• 75% discount on ground handling fees provided by Nepal Airlines
• USD 100 discount on fuel

Despite these incentives, airlines have been slow to commit to regular flights.

Business Concerns

Business operators have raised concerns that regular and adequate international flights are hindered due to:

• Absence of essential government offices at the airport
• Monopoly of ticket sales by Kathmandu-based agents

These factors have limited the airport’s potential for regular international operations, affecting tourism and local businesses.