KATHMANDU, JUNE 13
More than a year after the country's second international airport commenced international operations, the national flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has finally initiated regular operations to Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA), Bhairahawa from Malaysia.
A 158-seat capacity narrow-body aircraft operated by NAC arrived at GBIA today at 8:42am from Kuala Lumpur, according to General Manager of GBIA Hansha Raj Pandey.
"Of the 91 passengers on board, a total of 35 passengers disembarked at Bhairahawa," Pandey said. "NAC will initially operate regular flights on the Kuala Lumpur-Bhairahawa-Kathmandu route every Tuesday, with plans to increase the frequency based on market demand."
On the occasion of NAC's first-ever commercial international flight to Bhairahawa, Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Sudan Kirati personally welcomed the passengers.
"Through its role as the national flag carrier, Nepal Airlines has effectively fulfilled its responsibility with this commercial flight at GBIA. This commitment must be sustained and strengthened," Minister Kirati posted on social media.
Furthermore, he mentioned that efforts are underway to expand GBIA's flight connections with Buddhist countries in the near future.
Shortly after its inauguration, Jazeera Airlines from Kuwait commenced international flights from GBIA. But, the airline suspended its international flights from GBIA month-and-a-half ago.
A version of this article appears in the print on June 14, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
