KATHMANDU: More than three international airlines are preparing to operate flights at Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa.
This airport has struggled to commence commercial international flights despite the completion of its construction.
According to Pratap Babu Tiwari, General Manager of Gautam Buddha International Airport, Kuwait’s Jazeera, Dubai’s national carrier Fly Dubai, and Thailand-based Air Asia are set to begin operations.
All three airlines have received approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, and the airport has established a flight schedule accordingly.
Fly Dubai will initiate regular flights to Gautam Buddha International Airport starting November 9.
This will mark the airline’s inaugural flight to the airport. Fly Dubai will operate daily flights connecting Dubai and Bhairahawa, as well as Bhairahawa to Kathmandu.
General Manager Tiwari confirmed that Fly Dubai has been authorized by the Flight Schedule Authority to arrive in Bhairahawa at 1:45 p.m. via Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu at 3:30 p.m. from Dubai.
Tiwari also mentioned that a technical team from Fly Dubai recently visited Gautam Buddha Airport to familiarize themselves with the service facilities, and preparations for the launch are underway.
In addition, Jazeera Airways plans to resume flights on October 28 after a 10-month hiatus.
The airline will operate three flights a week on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday,
with arrivals in Bhairahawa at 7:30 a.m. and departures to Kuwait at 8:30 a.m.
Jazeera began its service to Bhairahawa following the inauguration of Gautam Buddha International Airport on May 16, 2022, but had suspended flights citing technical reasons.
Moreover, Thai Air Asia is also preparing to begin flights to Gautam Buddha Airport.
A technical team from the airline visited the airport recently to gather information about its operational goals, market analysis, and other operational benefits. However, a start date for this airline’s flights has yet to be confirmed.
Thai Air Asia, which began direct flights to Nepal on October 2 will operate services to Gautam Buddha Airport.
The airline currently operates flights to major destinations in Asia using a fleet of around 60 aircraft.
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