Kathmandu, September 14

The Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) is preparing to hold a discussion with stakeholders to provide better services to senior citizens, sick and differently-abled passengers.

As mentioned in the one-year work plan of Tourism Minister Yogesh Bhattarai, which was unveiled on August 26, the country’s sole international airport is preparing to provide special services to the aforementioned passengers, said Raj Kumar Chhetri, general manager of TIA.

During a meeting held on Thursday with TIA management, Tourism Minister Bhattarai had directed the concerned authorities to make arrangements for special services, including transportation, for senior citizens, sick and differently-abled passengers at the airport, he informed.

During the meeting, the minister directed TIA to put in place priority check-in, immigration boarding and baggage clearance for the said passengers. “The minister’s direction is aimed at making the travel of senior citizens, sick and differently-abled passengers more convenient and hassle-free,” Chhetri added.

According to him, the minister has also directed the TIA management to arrange for a separate resting area for senior citizens, sick and differently-abled people. Likewise, TIA has been directed by the tourism minister to collaborate with public vehicles or tourist transportation companies for comfortable travel of such passengers.

“Following up on the direction, TIA has called for a meeting with stakeholders on Sunday to manage transportation for senior citizens, sick and differently-abled passengers,” said Chhetri. He further said that the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation will inspect the work progress at TIA after one month.

Likewise, the tourism minister has also directed the TIA management to establish Smart IT/Media section to inform the public regarding daily activities of TIA. Minister Bhattarai has also directed TIA to speed up the work of boutique airport project and to complete other ongoing projects at the country’s only international airport within a targeted deadline.