Thai AirAsia starts flights to Bhairahawa; Jazeera, FlyDubai also flying

KATHMANDU: Thai AirAsia has resumed flights to Nepal. The airline started commercial flights to Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa on Sunday.

Thai AirAsia has become the fourth airline to operate commercial flights from Nepal’s second international airport. Previously, Kuwait’s Jazeera Airways, and Himalaya Airlines and Nepal Airlines had operated commercial flights to this airport.

Jazeera Airways is set to resume flights to the airport from Saturday. Flyduabi is also preparing to operate flights to Bhairahawa.

Thai AirAsia has received permission to operate flights on Mondays and Thursdays.

The airport has reported that all necessary management systems, including immigration, customs, and security, are functioning properly.

The government has initiated plans to operate both Gautam Buddha International Airport and Pokhara International Airport at full capacity. It has offered slew of incentives to airlines operating flights to these two airports.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Spokesperson Hansraj Pandey, international flights at Gautam Buddha International Airport are gradually expanding. “Flights and destinations are increasing steadily. We expect international airlines to expand operations based on passenger demand and pressure in the coming days,” Pandey added.

Currently, 30 airlines, including three Nepali carriers, operate scheduled flights to Nepal.