Minister hints at possibility of ground handling at Gautam Buddha Airport by private companies

KATHMANDU: Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Hit Bahadur Tamang, has suggested that ground handling at Gautam Buddha International Airport might be outsourced to private airline companies.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Second National Tourism Conference and Photo Competition, organized by the Tourism Development Committee of Bagmati Province, the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Athot Nepal, Minister Tamang indicated that this change could happen if private airline companies, licensed for international flights, begin regular operations based at Gautam Buddha International Airport.

Currently, the Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) is responsible for ground handling at the airport.

However, Minister Tamang stated that the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has been approached to explore new opportunities in this area.

He expressed confidence that direct flights to and from Gautam Buddha International Airport could increase if ground handling services were provided by private airline companies through competitive bidding.

Additionally, Minister Tamang mentioned that the government is working on policy reforms and promoting entrepreneurship to address the challenges faced by the country’s tourism industry.