SIDDHARTHANAGAR, JANUARY 29

Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale has said preparations were under way for a calibration flight at Gautam Buddha International Airport on February 21.

Talking to mediapersons after an inspection visit to Gautam Buddha International Airport today, Minister Ale said the calibration flight would take place on February 21 if weather was favourable and international flights would begin from Buddha Jayanti. Technicians have, however, said calibration flight was not likely to take place in time due to poor visibility and during foggy weather.

On the occasion, Minister Ale directed officials of the ministry, CAAN and project officials to work round-the-clock until the calibration flight was conducted. He said, "Work should not halt at any cost."

President of the Public Accounts Committee Bharat Kumar Shah, lawmaker Pramod Yadav and others were present in the inspection team. On the occasion, Secretary at the ministry Maheshwor Neupane said a technical team from Thailand's Aero Thai would return only after performing a calibration flight at the Airport. And the 330 Airbus of Nepal Airlines Corporation would carry out the test flight, Neupane added.

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