KATHMANDU: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari on Tuesday, stated that the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), the only international airport in the country, would be operated for 21 hours daily.

In an interaction organised by the Nepal Tourism Infrastructure Development Council here in the Ministry today, Minister Adhikari shared that the Ministry was preparing to operate the TIA for 21 hours daily from upcoming mid-May.

He added that the move was targeted to lessen air traffic pressure as the TIA is facing acute air traffic pressure as of late. He added that though he was planning to operate 24 hours services in the TIA, this would take time to materialise. He also shared that night flights currently available from Kathmandu to Dangadhi will be extended to Bhadrapur of Jhapa in the near future.

Experts in tourism and culture sectors suggested Minister Adhikari to adopt effective plans and programmes for the development of these sectors.