Kathmandu-Tikapur-Kathmandu flights to resume December 15

KATHMANDU, Dec 14:Kailali's Tikapur Airport will resume regular operations after 35 years. The airport, which was closed due to conflict in 2046 BS, will resume operations on December 15.

The airport is set to resume operations with the active participation of tourism entrepreneurs and local governments. Tikapur Municipality Mayor Ram Lal Dagaura Tharu announced that the municipality has signed a deal with Tara Air for at least 15 seats on air flights at the airport. Nepal Airlines Corporation and Tara Air have already flown test flights at the airport. Tikapur Airport is now encircled by barbed wire, and the runway has been graveled.

The first flight will arrive at the airport on Sunday, December 15, followed by the second on Thursday, December 19. The timetable has since been adjusted to include one flight every Sunday and Thursday.

According to the schedules, Yeti Airlines will fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, while Tara Air will fly from Nepalgunj to Tikpur via connecting flights. Tara Air will fly passengers from Tikapur to Nepalgunj, then Yeti Airlines to Kathmandu. The one-way cost between Kathmandu and Tikapur has been set at Rs 9,000.

Pathil Holidays has been appointed as the official ticket seller. In addition, passengers will be able to purchase tickets using Yeti Airlines' app, various travel agents, Khalti, eSewa, and other channels. Tickets will be available for purchase at the Siddhartha Hotel in Tikapur and Pathil Holidays in Tinkune, Kathmandu.

Once the airport is operational, inhabitants in Kailali, Surkhet, and Bardiya around Tikapur Municipality who currently use Dhangadhi and Nepalgunj airports would have better access. Tikapur Mayor Tharu commended Siddhartha Hospitality for working with the service provider to make the airport operational in accordance with local wishes.

Gyanendra Bhul, Information Officer at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), stated that the airline will demand flights, and the CAAN will establish the fare and deploy manpower.

Krishna Prasad Neupane, CEO of Siddhartha Business Group of Hospitality, stated that Tikapur might be developed as a tourist destination once the airport is operational. "The assets at Tikapur Airport have not been put to use for a long time, and once the airport comes into operation, economic and tourism activities there will increase," he said.

Tara Air spokesperson Sudarshan Bartaula stated that all preparations for the Kathmandu-Nepalgunj-Tikapur and Tikapur-Nepalgunj-Kathmandu flights had been completed. He said there would be flights every Sunday and Thursday. A Yeti Airlines flight will depart from Kathmandu for Nepalgunj at 10 a.m., while Tara Air will arrive in Tikapur with passengers at 12:30 p.m. On the same day, a Tara Air flight will depart for Nepalgunj at 1:20 p.m., while a Yeti Airlines flight will arrive in Kathmandu with passengers at 2:05 p.m.

Similarly, Sanfebagar Municipality and Tara Air have secured an agreement to fly from Kathmandu to Sanfebagar's airport, Achham. Regular flights, however, will not begin until after a test flight at the Sanfebagar airport. Sanfebagar Municipality has also inked an agreement with Tara Air to secure at least 15 seats. That is, if the minimum of 15 seats is not available, the municipality will supply an amount equivalent to that amount.