Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has launched initiatives to operate Pokhara International Airport and Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa at full capacity. On Friday, he convened a high-level meeting at the Prime Minister's office in Singha Darbar to discuss this critical issue.
During the discussion, PM Prachanda emphasized the national importance of both airports, describing them as projects of strategic significance. He called for a coordinated effort from all government agencies to maximize their operational capacity.
"Pokhara and Bhairahawa Airports are projects of national pride. The state has invested heavily in their construction, and the private sector has invested in tourism infrastructure. We have no option but to operate these airports at full capacity," Prachanda stated.
The Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Tourism and the Civil Aviation Authority to prepare comprehensive proposals for full-capacity operations. He also addressed the air traffic congestion at Kathmandu Airport, noting that work is underway to improve and expand its capacity.
Key directives from the meeting include:
Expanding government services at both airports
Preparing for international flights from Bhairahawa and Pokhara
Facilitating foreign employment-related services at both locations
Offering concessions on air tickets, ground handling, and fuel
Coordinating with the private sector for hotel concession packages
Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Hit Bahadur Tamang committed to presenting a concrete proposal after thorough preparation. Dr. Ganesh Prasad Pandey, Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, added that they are in discussions with foreign airline companies to boost operations at both airports.
The meeting was attended by several high-ranking officials, including Chief Secretary Dr. Baikunth Aryal, Commerce Secretary Dinesh Kumar Ghimire, Revenue Secretary Dr. Ram Prasad Ghimire, Labor Secretary Ghanshyam Upadhyay, and Civil Aviation Authority Director General Pradeep Adhikari.
This initiative marks a significant step towards enhancing Nepal's aviation infrastructure and boosting its tourism sector.