Demand for regular international flights at GBIA

BHAIRAHAWA, Jan 02: On the occasion of National Topi Day, Nepal Association of Travels and Tour Agents - (NATTA) Lumbini Province has demanded regular international flights at Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) in Bhairahawa.

During a program organised by NATTA Lumbini State President Rachna Pant, the employees working there in the international airport premises were asked to wear Nepali Dhaka topi to organize the flights.

Putting the Dhaka topi on the employees, President Pant said, "Just like the pride of the head is the Dhaka topi, similarly Gautam Buddha Airport is pride and honor for the people of Lumbini province and all the tourism professionals of Nepal", he said, "to increase its dignity is the activity of the staff to continue the flight of international flights from here." And positive cooperation is necessary.'

In the event, Sagar Adhikari, a tourism businessman, said that international flights should not be curtailed at Gautam Buddha International Airport located in Bhairahawa under any pretext and warned that all Lumbini residents would protest if curtailed.

Bishnu Prasad Sharma, former chairman of the tourism business and Siddhartha Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that more than 40 billion investments have been made in the airport and more than 100 billion private sector investments are being made around Bhairahawa.

General Manager of Gautam Buddha International Airport Govinda Prasad Dahal said that 31,618 passengers have taken service from Gautam Buddha International Airport located in Bhairahawa during the period of seven months.

He said that there were 154 flights and landings in the period of seven months from 2nd May to 3rd January. At this time, At present Jazeera Airlines has cut its flights. Himalaya Airlines has also stopped flights.

On the other hand, due to low visibility at Gautam Buddha International Airport located in Bhairahawa, domestic flights are also affected. Although the Instrument Landing System (ILS) has been connected to the international airport to solve this problem, the problem has arisen due to non-operation of this equipment.

Tourism entrepreneurs​​​​​​​ have demanded the immediate operation of ILS. A minimum visibility of around 1500 is required for flight, but at present, when the visibility reaches around 4-500, the flight is affected from time to time.