KATHMANDU: Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa is moving forward with a new strategy to increase flight operations and attract international airlines, with the goal of bringing the airport to full operational capacity.
Airport management has announced plans to significantly expand international flights starting from the upcoming winter schedule.
Airport General Manager Shyam Kishor Sah said efforts are underway to regularize currently limited international flights and ensure consistent service.
“We are coordinating with airlines to increase the number of flights starting from the summer schedule,” he said.
Currently, Thai AirAsia has been operating flights primarily targeting Buddhist pilgrims. The airport plans to expand the twice-weekly winter flights in the next season. This will connect the Buddhist circuit, including Lumbini and Gaya, promoting religious tourism.
To optimize airport utilization, General Manager Sah highlighted the introduction of a ‘Fifth Freedom’ flight concept. Under this arrangement, foreign airlines could use Bhairahawa as a transit hub and operate flights to third countries.
“For example, Qatar Airways could operate Doha–Bhairahawa–third country flights and return along the same route,” he explained.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has initiated the necessary policy and technical preparations, and a government decision is expected soon, Sah added.
“Currently, Qatar Airways operates flights not directly from Qatar, but we are preparing for them to operate according to the Fifth Freedom from Bhairahawa,” he said, expressing confidence in a cabinet decision in the near future.
Another key initiative includes basing a Nepal Airlines aircraft in Bhairahawa. Sah noted this will support regular and reliable international flight operations. RUPANDEHI-4 Member of Parliament Kanhaiya Baniya confirmed that Nepal Airlines will soon establish Bhairahawa as a base for flights.
Currently, charter flights are operating to facilitate travel for Nepali citizens working abroad. Kuwait Airways, for example, is flying Nepalis from Kuwait City to Bhairahawa, while flights from Dammam, Saudi Arabia, are in the approval process. Sah emphasized that both charter and regular flights will be prioritized equally.
“We are committed to maintaining both charter and regular flights, and regular operations will soon be strengthened,” he said.
These initiatives are expected to boost religious tourism focused on Lumbini and improve travel convenience for Nepalis going abroad for employment. Stakeholders also anticipate that fully operational international flights from the airport will enhance regional economic activity and have a positive impact on Nepal’s overall tourism industry.
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