Saturday, October 19, 2019

Government, Germany’s Munich Airport to negotiate, finally

Government is holding a final negotiation with Germany’s Munich Airport for operational management services at the second international airport in Bhairahawa.
A government team is scheduled to hold a final round of negotiation with Munich Airport to provide operational management services at the Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa – located in south-central Nepal – according to director general at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Rajan Pokhrel. “The first round of negotiation with the company has been completed and the final negotiation will be held by the end of October,” he said, adding that they have invited the German company for the final round of negotiation. “The final negotiation will conclude the operation management fee and other services that the company will impart at the new airport.”
The much-talked airport – with a 3,000-metre-long and 45-metre-wide runway – is expected to be completed by December-end and conduct test flights by March-end next year.
Pokhrel, who is also a member of the government committee that will deal with the company, said that the committee has also been working on launching an incentive package to attract international airlines at the new airport.
The government will also discuss the incentive package – including monetary incentives – with the Munich Airport, though Pokharel did not elaborate on incentive package – cash or free landing parking and other services – as there are several modalities.
The cabinet – in June – gave the Tourism Ministry approval to appoint international firms for the operational readiness and airport transfer (ORAT) operation of the Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa through a government to government (G2G) deal following a proposal from Munich Airport including other international firms.
As only finishing the construction work will not assure operational readiness, operational readiness and airport transfer (ORAT) will play a big role in helping the new facility open on time. The ORAT is the best way to ensure that every aspect of a new facility functions flawlessly right from day one. ORAT consultants work with airport stakeholders to formulate new processes, train staff, and test every single new system and procedure from passenger and baggage handling to airside operations.
Construction work at Gautam Buddha International Airport began in January 2015. The CAAN awarded the Rs 6.22-billion contract to China’s Northwest Civil Aviation Airport Construction Group in November 2013. Though, the airport was initially planned to be completed in December 2017, it is delayed and pushed back the completion deadline several times.

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