Bhairahawa, March 13:

The Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha Airport has been closed for 10 days from today for renovation, as part of the first phase of programme to upgrade it to a regional airport.

The airport will be closed for two months from 1 pm everyday under the second phase of upgrade from March 23, according to an airport source.

Passengers bound to Bhairahawa have been affected after the closure of the airport.

As part of the upgrade programme, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) is going to expand the runway length to 2,500 metres and width to 1,500 metres.

The upgrade is estimated to cost Rs 120 million. The upgrade will be completed within two-and-a-half months, Arjun Gurung, an officer at the airport said.

According to a source, Jumbo jets will be able to land on the runway after the completion of the project. The airport has already acquired 77 bighas of land to develop it as a regional airport. It plans to acquire 138 more bighas of land next year.

The airport is a major gateway to Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.