KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 29

The air sports businesses of Pokhara are expected to face some restrictions in conducting operations after Pokhara Regional International Airport comes into operation next year.

Gyanendra Bhul, information officer of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, conceded that allowing air sports activities on the same scale as now will be difficult after commercial flights begin operations to and from the new international airport.

'A large airspace is needed to manage and conduct visual flight rules, instrumental flights rules, landing, take-offs, and for a buffer zone between two air routes in Pokhara. Managing air space for activities such as skydiving, ultra flights, and paragliding activities could be challenging from the viewpoint of air traffic controller,' he explained.

According to Sunil Bahadur Bhattarai, president of the Nepal Airsports Association, the topic was raised during discussions with CAAN officials. 'We've requested NAA to specify the time period when air sports activities can be conducted without affecting the airport business. CAAN has been conducting calibration tests at PRIA since last week and its results may help in finding a solution,' he said. Bhattarai said NAA was also on the lookout for feasible locations other than Sarangkot.

'It will be difficult to continue facilitating air sports activities in Pokhara in the long run'

The air sports sector conducted about 350 to 400 flights during the peak season in mid-October this year, generating revenue of over Rs 3 million per day, as per NAA.

Bikram Bade, chairman of Balloon Nepal, said his company was operating at maximum capacity due to the influx of tourists in the region this season. However, the uncertainty of the sector's future in the region has left him worried. 'Although this season was better, the tourism sector has not recovered completely,' he said.

Bal Krishna Basel, owner of Team 5 Nepal Paragliding, said that more tourists arrived in the region during October.

'We witnessed around 300 to 400 paragliding operations after mid-October, but now the number of flights has dropped to around 150. The halt of tourist arrivals from China has affected our business seriously, but we hope more tourists start coming to Nepal soon,' Basel said.

He said the sector may face some issues after limitations are enforced on the duration of conducting paragliding operations after PRIA comes into operation next year. 'I think there is a low possibility of the air sports businesses being shut even if the new airport comes to operation on schedule. We hope that authorities concerned designate a few hours for paragliding activities,' he added.

However, Bhul said that it would be difficult for CAAN to allocate a specific time to conduct air sports activities as the number of flights will be conducted till late. 'At present, domestic VFR flights operate from four to five in the evening. The duration between IFR flights will have to be increased as per IFR procedures.

The number of total flight operations will also increase after international airlines begin conducting flights at PRIA. As per our internal assessment, it will be difficult to continue facilitating air sports activities in Pokhara in the long run. But, an official decision is yet to be reached regarding the issue,' he said.

Preparations are under way to bring PRIA into operation from January 1. Accordingly, the calibration flight (mechanical test) was also conducted last week. 'We hope to conduct an inaugural flight to the new airport on the scheduled date. Although the airport might face some issues and lack of effective management in the initial phases of operations. We are sure to overcome them in the coming months,' Bhul said.

A version of this article appears in the print on November 30, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.