Kathmandu, December 22
Two private airline companies, Buddha Air and Yeti Airlines, conducted demonstration flights today afternoon at the newly-constructed Pokhara Regional International Airport (PRIA).
According to PRIA Head Bikram Gautam, aircraft of ATR-72 series had operated the test flights around 3:00pm at the airport.
"The two companies conducted familiarisation flights so that the crew members of the airlines will be more familiar and are able to obtain information about the new airport," Gautam told The Himalayan Times.
According to Yeti Airlines Spokesperson Sudarshan Bartaula, the company has already intensified the internal work of preparing the necessary manpower to fly from the new airport by providing required training, managing the ground equipment, and preparing the office located at the airport.
Currently, Yeti Airlines is operating seven daily flights in the Kathmandu-Pokhara sector.
"With the PRIA coming into operation, we're preparing to increase the number of regular flights and make regional flights from Pokhara to other airports," he informed.
Meanwhile, Buddha Air is set to operate first regular international flights to three destinations in India from PRIA. According to Buddha Air, for the operation flight from Pokhara, the airline company has already sent the notice to concerned bodies.
Issuing a press release today, the airline company is in the 'waitand-watch' mode and eager to conduct the first international flight from Pokhara.
CAAN is preparing to start regular flights at the new international airport from January 1, 2023.
CAMC Engineering Company was entrusted with the contract to build the airport in May 2014.
Construction work of the airport estimated to cost Rs 22 billion started in July 2017.
Earlier, an aircraft of Aero Thai Company had conducted mechanical test flights (calibration flights) at the PRIA from November 21 to 28.
A version of this article appears in the print on December 23, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
