Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: More than a third of airports in Nepal are currently not in operation, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal’s (CAAN) 2024 Annual Report.
Out of 55 airports in total, including three international airports and 52 domestic airfields, 20 airports are not in operation. The airports that have ceased operation include Baglung, Chaurjahari, Darchula, Dhorpatan, Palungtar, Jiri, Kalikot, Kamal Bazaar, Kangeldanda, Khiji Chandeswori, Langtang, Lamidanda, Mahendranagar, Manang, Masinechaur, Rolpa, Rumjatar, Syangboche and Tikapur. Although the concerned local governments and chamber of commerce and industries have made efforts to revive these facilities, including assuring revenue for certain seats for airline companies, these airports have been unable to achieve long-term sustainability.
According to CAAN, three out of 52 domestic airports in the country serve as hub airports, operating flights to remote airfields in their respective regions. They include Biratnagar Airort, Nepalgunj Airport and Dhangadhi Airport. Likewise, 41 of the 52 domestic airports are STOL (short take-off and landing) airfields. These airfields are primarily located in hilly and Himalayan regions. Likewise, 42 domestic airports are paved, while 10 airports support night operations. They include Biratnagar, Chandragadhi, Dhangadhi, Janakpur, Nepalgunj, Simara and Rajbiraj along with three international airports
Among the three international airports in the country, two – Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) and Pokhara International Airport (PIA) – are struggling to attract flights.
Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) was the country’s busiest airport in 2023, generating Rs 12.86 billion in revenue for CAAN. Pokhara International Airport was next with revenue of Rs 349.36 million, primarily from domestic flights, as it has not received any international commercial flights since its inauguration on January 1, 2023. Similarly, Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa generated Rs 211.39 million for CAAN in 2023, with domestic operations accounting for most of its revenue. Although the airport serving Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha has attracted some international airlines, including Qatar Airways, AirAsia Thailand, Jazeera Airways and FlyDubai, these flights have remained largely irregular.
Among STOL airfields, Lukla Airport, the gateway to the Everest region, generated the highest revenue at Rs 62.33 million, followed by Ramechhap and Simikot with Rs 14.12 million and Rs 7.64 million in revenues, respectively.
Most airports are struggling to cover their operational costs though. For instance, Lamidanda Airport in Khotang, which has ceased operation now, earned only Rs 474.09 in 2023.
