Biratnagar airport hosts 42 rescue flights during lockdown

BIRATNAGAR: Nepal imposed nationwide lockdown starting from March 24 and banned all domestic aviation movement in Nepal.

International flights were banned since March 20. No regular flights are allowed until August 31.

However, Biratnagar Airport, a provincial airport of State-1, has hosted 52 rescue chopper flights.

Based on the data from March 25 to August 8, Biratnagar Airport has seen 52 arrival and 52 departure. Nepal Army has made majority of this rescue flights with 25 arrival and departure.

Likewise, Air Dynasty, Kailash Heli, Simrik Air, Shree Air each has made 3 arrival and 3 departure flights. Yeti has made 2 arrival and 2 departure flights. Likewise, Sita Air, Mountain Heli and Prabhu Air has each has made 1/1 arrival and departure flights.

During these emergency flights, 54 passengers departed from the airport and 22 made arrival. According to Yuwaraj Bhandari, the Information Officer at the Biratnagar Airport, all rescue chopper flights are made with full health security.

Located at 370 kilometer away from Kathmandu, Biratnagar Airport commenced its operation since 6 July 1958.

The airport has 1500-meter-long and 30-meter-wide two-way approach and landing runway. It covers an area of 150 Bigha of land. It is the first certified domestic Regional Hub aerodrome in Nepal.