CAAN preparing to reopen Rajbiraj airport

DINESH KARKI
KATHMANDU, March 17: Tara Air is preparing to conduct a test flight at Rajbiraj Airport in Saptari district, in a bid to support Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal´s (CAAN) initiatives of reopening closed domestic airports in the country.

The airline is likely to conduct test flight within a few days.
Ratish Chandra Lal Suman, deputy director general of Airport Management and Development Directorate of CAAN, said they had requested Nepal Airlines Corporation and Tara Air to conduct test flights. “We requested these two airlines because they have aircraft that can operate flights on grass runways,” Suman added.

These two airlines have Twin Otter aircraft that can take off and land on grass runways.

According to CAAN sources, Tara Air will fly to Rajbiraj from either Lamidanda or Thamkharka airports, as these airports are nearer to the Rajbiraj Airport than Kathmandu.

“We will allow interested airlines to operate commercial flights after conducting test flights,” Suman told myrepublica.com.

CAAN started groundwork for reopening Rajbiraj airport as per the initiative of Saptari District Development Committee (DDC) and local people. The airport was closed after private airlines stopped flying there, citing low business prospects.

“Bharatpur and Bhadrapur airports were also closed in the past. Today, they have become one of the busiest airports in the country,” Suman added. He also said national and international non-government organizations are also pressing CAAN to reopen the airport. Suman said they had readied all equipment required to support operation of flights at the airport.

Airlines had stopped flying to Rajbiraj airport due to low passenger turnout following the construction of East-West Highway.

DDC Saptari and CAAN have allocated a total budget of Rs 42.5 million to level the runway and construct fencing wall.

Indian interest in Tarai airports

In recent years, India has started showing interest in reopening domestic airports situated in Tarai.

During the recent visit of President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, India had assured Nepal to upgrade domestic airports in Tarai. Responding to the Indian offer, CAAN has sent a proposal to blacktop the runway of Rajbiraj Airport to the Indian government.

Published on 2010-03-17 22:30:47