Kathmandu, Nov 11: Qatar Airways is set to launch daily flights from Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa starting Tuesday, marking a significant milestone for Nepal’s aviation sector.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAN), this development is a major achievement, symbolizing the global recognition of Nepal’s second international airport. CAN Information Officer Gyanendra Bhool stated, “The initiation of international flights from Bhairahawa represents Nepal’s growing presence in the international aeronautical community and opens doors to economic viability for the surrounding region.”

Qatar Airways will initially operate one daily flight from Bhairahawa until November 30, alongside its two daily flights from Kathmandu. This expansion brings the total number of airlines operating international flights from Gautam Buddha International Airport to five.

The inclusion of Qatar Airways, one of the world’s largest airlines, is expected to foster competition and help regulate airfares. It follows similar moves by Nepal Airlines, Jazeera Airways, Fly Dubai, and Thai AirAsia, which began their operations at the airport earlier.

Gautam Buddha International Airport’s Development
The airport, inaugurated on May 2, 2079 (Bikram Sambat), has seen gradual progress in achieving its goal of operating at full capacity. It serves as a base for Nepal Airlines’ flights to Kuala Lumpur and Dubai and hosts regular flights from international carriers such as Fly Dubai and Thai AirAsia.

Tribhuvan International Airport Upgrades Underway
Meanwhile, at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, construction of a parallel taxiway and apron expansions is progressing rapidly as part of the Air Transport Capacity Enhancement Project. To facilitate this, flights have been suspended from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily since November 23.

These developments signify Nepal’s commitment to expanding its aviation infrastructure and positioning itself as a competitive player in the global air travel market.