CAAN DG Adhikari said that it was difficult to operate Gautam Buddha airport as private sector not interested

KATHMANDU, June 04:Pradeep Adhikari, Director General (DG) of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), stated that the private sector's involvement is necessary for the operation of Gautam Buddha International Airport.

The DG Adhikari expressed confidence in the airport's operation during the Public Policy and Delegated Legislation Committee meeting on Friday, stating there is no need to fear.

DG Adhikari stated that the state has made all necessary investments in the construction of infrastructure at Gautam Buddha International Airport, and that all necessary government agency branches have been expanded, and that all government offices required for international flights have been reached, including labor, visa, and banking.

The DG Adhikari stated that the private sector has more than the government sector, but because the private sector is uninterested, it is impossible to operate the airport. He stated that the business sector has a larger role in airport operations than government agencies, and that the private sector is responsible for managing manpower, training centers, language lessons, insurance, hotels, and so on for international flights.

The DG Adhikari stated that the economy can run as it did prior to the coronavirus pandemic, but only if traffic is regulated for the time being. He stated that even if the government decides to run all Shram flights from Bhairahawa, the airport will remain operational. The Adhikari said that since the growth of Tribhuvan International Airport has started to reach 9 million, it will not be able to sustain it after the next one year.

He stated, "Because the price of oil is lower in Kolkata than in Bhairahawa, the plane does not land at Gautam Buddha Airport and travels there." There are several questions about whether Nepal oil corporations can provide oil at India's prices. The government's Gautam Buddha International Airport cost only 6.70  billion  to build. In terms of infrastructure development, it is unnecessary to say that the investment in Gautam Buddha International Airport has failed.

The DG Adhikari stated that 55 airports in the country had been shuttered due to a scarcity of Twin Otter aircraft. He stated that it is irrelevant to argue that two Nepal Airlines Corporation flights and six private sector planes do not fly at airports across the country. The DG Adhikari said that more planes should be added to operate the airports.

He said that if the private sector wants to add more plane, the government's policy has to be seen. He said that tax has also been levied on air fares and has been kept unchanged in the current budget as well. He said that the government needs to give discounts to those who buy planes. When the CAAN talks about profit and loss, the official said that all but 9 airports will have to be closed as all but 9 airports are running at a loss. He said that the government needs to come up with a policy to add plane.