KATHMANDU: Navigating airport security checkpoints can be a tedious exercise for travelers. But the process for getting on an airplane can become less burdensome if travelers know why certain procedures are in place.
Hence, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), the only international airport in Nepal has set some arrival and departure rules to its passengers.
The history of TIA dates back to 1961 when Queen Elizabeth II landed in a small Dakota plane for her first visit to Nepal, the most high-profile international arrival at the airport — and in the country.
The airport has since gone through numerous facelifts — much like the country itself — but it remains, unfortunately, in a dilapidated state as it juggles daily domestic and international flights from a single runway.
The airport is home to nearly a dozen private carriers that operate within the country and a handful of international airlines that ferry people across Asia and the Middle East.
More than seven million people use TIA each year. The chaos at the airport hits you the moment you land, and it continues as you wait in frustration for your baggage before you can figure out your way out of the airport. In recent years, the runways and the airspace have been so congested that flights have been asked to hold over Kathmandu for up to an hour.
ARRIVAL
Visas are available on arrival at the airport. Once you land, you enter the immigration hall, which has separate lines for foreigners and Nepalis. It’s helpful to fill out your landing cards and visa forms beforehand because the lines could get long here. There are also currency exchange booths before and after immigration counters. So far so good.
Before you take the escalators down to the age claim, it may help to take a deep breath and prepare yourself for the inevitable chaos. Anticipate a long line before you can get to the age claim.
First, you’ll be asked to place all your belongings into an X-ray machine. That’s the easy part. The hard part is waiting for your baggage. In the past year, the airport has added new conveyor belts, but the baggage area still feels like a fish market on a Saturday morning. If you’re lucky, you’ll find a cart without wobbly, broken wheels.
The wait for the luggage varies depending on the time of the day. Be prepared to spend at least an hour.
You’ll go through one more check before you’re out of the airport building—this time, it’s the customs office. It’s a haphazard process. Have your baggage tags handy, put your bags into the X-ray machine, and you should be able to walk out in no time.
There is a tourist information desk right before the terminal exit, but unless you have pressing questions before you get to your hotel, you can skip.
Departure Information
Only confirmed ticketed passengers are allowed to enter the departure check-in-counter. After exhibiting your ticket to the security personnel at the main gate of the departure check-in-counter, it is advisable that you go for the baggage security check, after which you proceed to the concerned airline counter.
If you had endorsed any item in your passport, you can show your passport to the Customs staff seated behind the Custom Counter so that they can be sure you are carrying back those endorsed items with you. Once your baggage has been checked, all departing passengers must fill in the embarkation card in the immigration area then only proceed to the sterile zone of the departure hall.
It is advisable that you arrive at the airport well in advance. There are a free WiFi and free telephone booth in the sterile zone which is entered after getting through the security formalities. Having completed all the necessary formalities you can now relax, contemplate and think about the precious moments you had here in Nepal.
Eventually, you may have faced immense difficulties while getting out of TIA during your arrival due to different factors. We sincerely apologize for this. Whatever may have been the cause – delay of baggage handle, hassle by the street urchins loitering around TIA, still whether you are on your way to a vacation in getting of your next business meeting or jetting off for your visit, we at TIA are working very hard to make your stay here be it transit/departure/arrival as smooth as possible.
TIA urges all the tourists to experience the magic of land that becomes every visitor to experience the land of the wild untamed terrain, lofty, majestic mountains and the one and only Shangri-La of the world.
If you come again (which we are confident you will) you will experience a better, beautiful, and more facilitated TIA. Your revisit to this land of multicultural, smiling and happy faces will welcome you and make your stay full of fun and lots of fond memories to carry back home. Indeed TIA will be a friendly rendezvous you have waited so long to cherish.
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