KATHMANDU: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale has said preparations are ongoing to conduct a calibration flight at Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) on February 21.

Talking to the media persons after an inspection visit to Gautam Buddha International Airport on Saturday, Minister Ale said the calibration flight would take place on February 21 if the weather is favorable and that the international flights will take place starting Buddha Jayanti.

Technicians, however, said calibration flight is not likely to take place if visibility is poor and the day turns foggy.

On the occasion, Minister Ale directed the officials of the Ministry, CAAN and project officials to get deployed round the clock until the calibration flight is conducted. He said, “Works should not halt at any cost.”

President of the Public Accounts Committee Bharat Kumar Shah, lawmaker Pramod Yadav and others were present in the inspection team.

Secretary at the Ministry Maheshwor Neupane said a technical team from Thailand’s Aero Thai would return only after performing a calibration flight at the airport. And the 330 Airbus of Nepal Airlines Corporation will carry out the test flight, Neupane added.