Nalinchowk heliport starts operation

KATHMANDU: The heliport built in Nalinchowk of Bhaktapur began operations on Friday.

Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) built the heliport to ease traffic congestion at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), Kathmandu.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Hit Bahadur Tamang, inaugurated the heliport, which is built on 33 ropanis of land in Suryabinayak-10, Bhaktapur amid a ceremony on Friday. Speaking on the occasion, Tamang expressed confidence that the heliport would be instrumental in reducing congestion at TIA.

Similarly, CAAN Director General Pradip Adhikari said that the heliport will be crucial in managing TIA’s air traffic and will be beneficial for both helicopter service providers and locals.

According to CAAN, 17 helicopters can be parked at the heliport while four helicopters can land simultaneously.

The heliport was constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 110 million.

CAAN has licensed 12 rotary-wing operators. These operators together have around 40 helicopters.