Taplejung, September 24:

The people of Taplejung have virtually been cut off from the rest of the world for about two months. Reason: Despite improvement in weather conditions, the state-owned Royal Nepal Airlines (RNA) has not given the go-ahead to private airlines to land their planes at the Suketar Airport, the only airport in the eastern hilly district. The runway was closed on July 29 due to bad weather conditions. The problem facing the private airlines is that they cannot give continuity to their services unless the stated-owned Royal Nepal Airlines (RNA) conducts test-flights and gives the other airlines permission to fly to and from the Suketar airport. That is why, private airlines have not been able to resume their services in the eastern district.

“People are criticising us for failing to resume services,” says Said Yuvaraj Gurung of the Yeti Airlines, adding: “It is due to the delay made by the RNA in conducting test flights.” “Weather is favourable for flights.” The Suketar runway remains closed from June 29 to September 29 every year because rain makes it virtually inoperable. Though locals have called on the concerned authorities to reconstruct the runway, which was constructed saome 33 years ago, the latter have not heeded their demands.