PM Dahal inaugurates Pokhara Regional International Airport

The construction of Nijgadh International International Airport will begin soon, according to the Prime Minister.

Inaugurating Pokhara Regional International Airport (PRIA) today, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' said that air route is the most effective way for connectivity for land-locked countries like Nepal. Thus, the construction of Nijgadh International Airport is important, he added.

The proposed Nijgadh International Airport has been claimed to an alternative to the already congested Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), though, the conservation activists have opposed to the construction of airport by destroying one of the best-preserved forests in the Tarai Madhesh.

The Supreme Court, on May 26, 2022, issued a verdict telling the government not to construct the proposed Nijgadh airport. The full text of the verdict clarified the apex court did not rule out the possibility of constructing the airport in Nijgadh of the Bara district in southern Nepal.

Following that, a government-commissioned panel has suggested that Nijgadh is the best option for constructing the next international airport in the country.

The international airport project conceptualised several years ago turned controversial with conservationists opposing it. They have also been condemning the government’s plans to cut down 2.4 million trees and destroy an entire ecosystem.

Nepal’s first international airport TIA in Kathmandu is 71 years old, whereas the second international airport Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) in Bhairahawa was inaugurated in May 2022.

On the occasion of Gregorian New Year, Dahal inaugurated Pokhara Regional International Airport, which is the country's third international airport that started domestic flights from today, and will start international flights from Frebruary.

Saying that Shankar Raj Pathak, the man who conceptualised Pokhara International Airport, is his teacher, Dahal also praised him. 

Pokhara Metropolitan City has declared a public holiday today to celebrate the inauguration, and also felicitated the architect of the international airport Pathak with a chariot ride.

Urging the Chinese government to extend support in construction of projects including the railway service and in easing the trade by opening the transit points, he also opined that there could not be two opinions that the operation of the international airport in Pokhara will contribute to the economic development of the entire nation along with that of the Gandaki province.

Pokhara, the tourism capital of Nepal and also the capital of Gandaki province, is expected to get more tourists after the new airport starts international flights.

The government will provide support for operation of Pokhara International Airport, said deputy prime minister and finance minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel, On the occasion.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, he also promised provide maximum government support for construction of other remaining infrastructures for the new airport.

Likewise on the occasion, Gandaki province chief minister Krishna Chandra Pokhrel urged the Chinese government to transform the loan it provided for the Pokhara Regional International Airport into grants.

"I urge the government of China through the Chinese Embassy here to convert the 75 per cent of the total loan into grants," he said. "With the completion of the project, the 47-year-long dream of Pokhara folks had come true."

In first phase, the airport should have its services for the South Asia and in the second phase for the Western countries, Pokhrel said, adding hoping the tourist arrival in the lake city will significantly increase with the operation of new airport. “Now Pokhara should focus on lengthening the tourist stay at least for 15 days."

Nepal had signed a $215.96 million (around Rs 22 billion) soft loan agreement with China in March 2016 for the construction of the new airport in the lake city.

However, the new airport constructed with loan assistance from the Chinese government has been claimed by the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, to be the support project that falls within the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). 

The spokesperson at the Embassy of China in Kathmandu claimed that the Pokhara Regional International Airport is the flagship project of China-Nepal BRI cooperation. "The inauguration ceremony of Pokhara International Airport will be held at 11 am tomorrow (Sunday), the spokesperson wrote on Twitter yesterday, "This is the flagship project of China-Nepal BRI cooperation," it reads, adding that the Embassy warmly congratulates to Nepali Government and Nepali people. "The newly-built airport is designed and built in accordance with the standards of China and the International Civil Aviation Organization, which reflects the quality of Chinese projects, symbolises the national pride of Nepal, and becomes a remarkable sign for China and Nepal to jointly build the Belt and Road Initiative."

“The new airport not only facilitates personnel exchanges between Nepal and China and other countries, but also proves the true friendship and mutual assistance between the two countries in times of adversity,” the tweeter reads.

"The PRIA is a matter of pride for Pokhara as the airport is the decade-long dream of the residents of Pokhara," according to Pokhara metropolis Mayor Dhana Raj Acharya. "As the airport will prove to be a milestone in the promotion of tourism in this region, it is necessary to convey the message of the grand opening to the whole world."

"Pokhara is a major tourist destination in the country and the tourism sector will benefit immensely with the operation of the new international airport, chairman of the Pokhara Tourism Council Pomnarayan Shrestha said, adding that the new airport is expected to bring a big relief to the tourism sector. "Along with the international airport, we will make a promotional campaign around the world to bring in more tourists in Pokhara."

Constructed by the Chinese construction company CAMCE, the regional international airport was handed over to Nepal last March, during the visit of Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi to Nepal.

ADB urges timely awarding of contracts

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) asked the government to ensure capable leadership at projects and focus on implementation to execute projects on time.
Speaking at the Tripartite Portfolio Review Meeting (TPRM) of ADB-supported projects in Nepal today, ADB country director for Nepal Mukhtor Khamudkhanov gave the example of Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA). “The Gautam Buddha International Airport under the South Asia Tourism Infrastructure Development Project is a good example of how leadership and improved implementation arrangement can positively impact the progress of a project,” he said, adding that the project is one of the examples that has met both its contract awards and disbursement targets for this fiscal year.
“ADB values its partnership with the government and the leadership shown by the government to improve project implementation for successful and timely development outcomes,” he added .
The ADB has recently approved its latest country partnership strategy for Nepal, 2020-24, which focuses on three priority areas – improved infrastructure for private sector-led growth, improved access to devolved services, and environmental sustainability and resilience – and with an estimated $500 million to $600 million lending on an average from 2020 to 2022.
“As the volume of lending increases and the portfolio grows in the future, it is even more important that we pay attention to timely contract awards and disbursements,” Khamud Khanov said, adding that successful project implementation is key to bringing results on the ground and improving the lives of Nepali people. “The ADB will continue to help executing and implementing agencies to strengthen their capacity to plan, design, and implement ADB projects.”
The ADB disbursed $227.3 million in the first 10 months (from January to October) of 2019, which is higher compared to the same period last year. Of the net available funding amount of $2.96 billion spread over 31 investment projects and two programme loans, 54 per cent has been contracted out and 55 per cent has been disbursed as of October 31, reads a press note of the ADB.
“Challenges remain in ensuring speed and efficiency in project delivery, and such review meetings provide an excellent platform to highlight key issues of project implementation and agree on critical actions,” said revenue secretary Sisheer Kumar Dhungana, on the occasion.
Dhungana said that the challenge remains in ensuring speed and efficiency in project delivery, and such review meetings provide an excellent platform to highlight key issues of project implementation and agree on critical actions. “The executing and implementing agencies should be more sensitive for timely completion of the projects so as to get the expected results on the ground,” he added.
Since its establishment in 1966, ADB has provided almost $6 billion in financial and technical assistance to Nepal. The assistance has been provided in energy, transport, water supply and urban infrastructure services, agriculture and irrigation, and education.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. In 2018, it made commitments of new loans and grants amounting to $21.6 billion. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members, 49 from the region.

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.

Elderly to get 50 per cent discount on airfare : Tourism Minister

Unveiling his one-year work plan, tourism minister Yogesh Bhattarai today during a press meet announced that domestic passengers above 70 years will get 50 per cent discount on their airfare.
The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation will hold discussions with stakeholders to implement the new policy, he said, claiming that his ministry will form new legal provisions and reform the old policies to meet the standards of the European Union (EU) aiming to get off from the EU’s air safety list.
Presenting a gamut of his to-do list for a year at a press meet – almost a month after his appointment as the tourism minister – Bhattarai said that the ministry will conduct a feasibility study of opening an international standard flying school to produce skilled manpower for the aviation sector. “Draft of new acts will be prepared soon,” he said, adding that he is prepared to complete all the activities that are scheduled for the current fiscal year efficiently, citing that he has a strong team backing him up.
Likewise, the minister has also announced to provide incentive package to airline companies that operate flights to Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA). “Construction of GBIA is all set to be completed by December,” he said, hoping that the airport will be fully operational within three months after the completion of the construction. “We will be providing incentive packages to those airline companies that operate commercial flights to and from GBIA.”
He also claimed that the site clearance for Nijgadh International Airport (NIA) will also be completed by the end of the year.
On the occasion, minister Bhattarai also said that the ministry will issue expression of interest (EoI) to develop those airports as air sports activity centres. Many a airports in the country have remained non-operational at the moment.
Bhattarai, talking about upgradation of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), said that the country’s sole international airport is capable of providing 24-hour service. “The ministry will offer special packages to those airline companies that operate flights after midnight,” he said, adding that the ministry will also prepare new criteria for VIP movement at TIA to address the congestion and traffic jams during VIP movements. “The ministry is also preparing to organise a Global Tourism Ministers’ Conclave – by the end opf the year – in association with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) with the theme ‘New Year in Nepal’, to make Visit Nepal Year (VNY) 2020 successful.”
Bhattarai, on the occasion, also announced about organising tourism investment summit, to complete the work of Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) to provide skill-based training related with tourism sector to 12,000 interested candidates and to instal GPS tracking system to make mountaineering sector more reliable and secure.

Chinese contractor seeks 640 million to continue Gautam Buddha International Airport

The Chinese contractor seeks Rs 640 million to complete the Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA).
As the minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai today directed project officials to complete the project within the designated deadline of December, the contractor Northwest Civil Aviation Airport Construction Company has asked the government to pay Rs 640 million to complete the airport.
Informing the project officials that the government has already requested the Asian Development Bank (ADB) – that has been supporting GBIA financially – to release payments on time to ensure the timely completion of the project, minister Bhattarai – during his visit to the project site – said that the airport completion within the December deadline is a ‘test’ for all project officials and the government itself. “In such a context, all the stakeholders involved in the project should ensure that the project does not miss the deadline this time,” he said, assuring to resolve all logical concerns of the project developer and other stakeholders.
Against the backdrop of project officials and contractors citing ineffective coordination from local governments in Bhairahawa and surrounding districts to supply river-based products to the project, Bhattarai also directed local governments to facilitate the project development. “The government will not tolerate any inconvenience created by the local governments or other groups in the project development of GBIA,” he said,
Earlier, the construction works had been halted for a few months after the local governments in the district did not allow the supply of river products to the project. The Chinese contractor had also complained about difficulties in obtaining river products for the project, which had resulted in a frequent extension in the project completion deadline.
The Northwest Civil Aviation Airport Construction Company had earlier extended the project deadline of GBIA to December. The upgradation of GBIA was started in January 2015, with a target to complete it by December 2017.
The project has been divided into two phases – ICB 01 that includes infrastructural work and ICB 02 that includes installing the equipment – according to the GBIA Project Chief Prabesh Adhikari. “The second phase – that is ICB 02 – is still to begin.”
Though, the project is said to have been completed by some 73 per cent and it was on track to complete and commence operations by December, a source close to the ministry told that minister Bhattarai has recently briefed the ADB – the financier of the project – to complete the project by March 2020. However, the government wants to complete the project before the Vist Nepal Year 2020.
The Rs 6.22-billion contract for the Gautam Buddha Airport upgradation project was awarded to China’s Northwest Civil Aviation Airport Construction Group in November 2013. The airport was slated to be ready by December 2017.
Aeronautical Radio of Thailand – which has been awarded a $4.83 million contract to install communications, navigation and surveillance and air traffic management systems – has only just started manufacturing equipment, according to the chief of the project Prabesh Adhikari.
It will take at least 5 months to manufacture and factory-test the equipment, ship it to Nepal and complete the customs clearance process, before installation of the equipment, and conduct the flight test of the installed equipment,” he said adding that another seven months will be required to complete the project, if everything goes well. “Besides, the airport needs to be certified, which will take some more days.”
In June, the government has decided to appoint Germany’s Munich Airport to provide consultancy services for the operational readiness and airport transfer (ORAT) operation of the airport. As simply completing construction work will not assure operational readiness, ORAT will play a big role in helping the new facility open on time. 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 all new systems and procedures, from passenger and baggage handling to airside operations.
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 all new systems and procedures—from passenger and baggage handling to airside operations.
“The Cabinet has given approval, in principle, to appoint a foreign consultancy service to operate the airport through a government-to-government deal,” Bhattarai said, adding that the government will look after other modalities and see whether the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) or others can do the work. “We will soon reach a decision on the operation modality.”
The Rs 6.22-billion contract for the Gautam Buddha International Airport upgradation project was awarded to China’s Northwest Civil Aviation Airport Construction Group in November 2013. The airport was slated to be ready by December 2017.
As of now, the 3,000m long runway and 45m wide taxiway have been prepared, according to the project 

Yogesh Bhattarai becomes tourism minister

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has appointed Nepal Communist Party (NCP) lawmaker Yogesh Bhattarai as a new minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation today.
President Bidya Devi Bhandari administered the oath of office and secrecy to newly appointed minister amid a ceremony at the Sheetal Niwas. Since the then minister Rabindra Adhikari was killed in a chopper crash in Taplejung district on February 27, the Ministry remained without leadership. The tourism portfolio had been vacant after the demise of Rabindra Adhikari on February 27 in a helicopter crash in Taplejung. Since last five montsh, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had been handling the responsibility of Tourism Ministry.
Tourism Ministry is one of the most important portfolios in the current administration as the country is celebrating Visit Nepal 2020 to host one million tourists. But the campaign has been delayed also due to absence of the minister.
Bhattarai assuming his duties, soon after the oath, said that he will sincerely follow up on the pending workloads of the ministry. “Late minister Adhikari would have done much in this sector, if not for his untimely demise,” he said, adding that he will do his best to continue the work.
The newly appointed minister will have though many challenges but making VNY 2020 a success, apart from completing construction of Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa – before the new deadline of December – and completing Pokhara Regional Airport and starting second international airport in Nojgadh, are few of the challenges that he has to face.
Likewise, turning around the loss-making Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) is yet another challenge that he has to pass, apart from removing Nepali aviation sector from European Union (EU) blacklist.
Bhattarai (52), who has elected from Taplejung, has been overseeing the publicity department of the Nepal Communist party (NCP). Given Bhattarai’s experience heading the UML’s publicity department, many had predicted that the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology would fall into his lap.
During the electoral campaign in 2017, Oli had promised the people of Taplejung that Bhattarai would be elevated to a minister, if they elected him. But Bhattarai could not find berth in Oli’s Cabinet because he belonged to the Oli’s opponent Madhav Kumar Nepal faction.
In 1995, Bhattarai was elected as president of the UML’s student wing, the All-Nepal National Free Students’ Union (ANNFSU). Soon after, he was elected central member of the party during the eighth national convention, held in Butwal. In 2014, after a successful stint in student politics and leaving his mark as a central committee member, Bhattarai was elected a secretary at the ninth national convention. Following the merger of the UML with the Maoist Centre last May, Bhattarai became one of the party’s 45 standing committee members.

China agrees to designate eight new destinations for Nepali airlines

Though, the northern neighbour has not yet allowed Nepali aircraft to fly to its cities till date, China has again agreed to designate eight new destinations for Nepali airlines, in addition of existing seven.
According to a press release issued by Embassy of Nepal in Beijing, both the countries today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) ensuring Nepali aircraft to fly to eight additional destinations will be specified by Nepal at its own discretion.
According to the press release, the deal was reached during a two-day meeting between the representatives of the aeronautical authorities of Nepal and China earlier today.
Though Nepal has not been given slot to fly to China, Nepal can currently also fly its carriers to seven destinations including Beijing, Shanghai, Lhasa, Guangzhou, Kunming, Chengdu and Xi’an. China has been currently operating 56 flights to Nepal per week. The Nepali side – during the meeting – urged the Chinese side to extend necessary support and assistance to Nepali airlines to operate flights to destinations in China as currently there are no flights originating from Nepal to mainland China.
“The Chinese side responded positively and agreed to extend necessary support and facilitation to Nepali airlines," the press release reads, adding that the two sides – revising the Air Service Agreement (ASA) – also agreed to raise the frequency of flights to 98 flights per week from each country, from the existing 70 flights, according to previous agreement of last five years.
“For flights operated by China-designated airlines, some 21 out of the agreed number of frequencies will be reserved for Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) and Pokhara Regional International Airport (PRIA), and will come into effect once those airports come into operation.”
Nepal Airlines Cooperation used to operate few flights a week before 2007. However, it discontinued because of decrease in number of aircrafts with the corporation. But Nepal and China has revised the ASA without providing any assurance of allowing Nepal Airlines Corporation to fly in Chinese skies. The Chinese aviation authority has prevented the national flag carrier from flying to Chinese cities citing ‘safety concerns’ raised by the European Union (EU).
However, the Chinese side also agreed to expedite the process of issuing authorisation of Nepal Airlines and Himalaya Airlines, which have applied to operate flights between Kathmandu to Guangzhou and Beijing. Though Chinese authorities have agreed to allow NAC to operate flights on Kathmandu-Guangzhou route, the national flag carrier will first need to meet the criteria of the safety audit to be conducted by China.
A team from Civil Aviation Administration of China will come to Kathmandu in October for the safety audit, which will determine whether NAC is permitted to operate flights to China. If NAC fails the test, it won’t be allowed to fly to Guangzhou or any other city of China.
The meeting led by joint secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Suresh Acharya and deputy director general of Civil Aviation Administration of China Bai Wenli also reached an understanding that after the development of adequate technical facilities at Gunsa Airport in Tibet, flights of Nepali airlines would be allowed to land there while circumnavigating Mt Kailash as part of the mountain flight. They also agreed to explore opportunities in the field of civil aviation between the two countries through joint collaboration. “Both the sides agreed to intensify mutual co-operation on promoting bilateral connectivity and to further utilise and expand the opportunities in the civil aviation sector between the two countries through joint collaboration,” the release reads.
China has opened Nepal as a tourist destination from 2002. Currently, Chinese tourists visiting Nepal are the second highest after Indians.

Gautam Buddha International Airport completion deadline to be extended again

The Chinese contractor company has sought an extension to the completion deadline of Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) by six months, though this is the third time that the completion deadline of GBIA is being extended.
Though, the completion deadline will be extended, the investment amount will not be increased and remain the same at Rs 7 billion, according to the GBIA Project Chief Prabesh Adhikari.
The second phase of the construction – technically called ‘ICB 02’ – is still to begin, which is why the contractor has asked for deadline extension, he said, adding that currently the project is in the final phase of ICB 01 and the work of ICB 02 will begin only after completion of this phase. “The project has been divided into two phases — ICB 01 that includes infrastructural work and ICB 02 that includes installing the equipment – by contractor Northwest Civil Aviation Airport Construction Company.”
It will take at least six months to complete the work of ICB 02,” GBIA Project Chief said, adding that the process of selecting the company to purchase equipment for communication navigation and surveillance system has already begun. “Thus, we have proposed to extend the deadline.”
Under the first phase – ICB 01 – the installation of lights and marking on the runway, taxiway and apron remain to be completed. “The project has submitted the proposal for deadline extension to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal some two weeks ago,” Adhikari said. “We are also awaiting a response from Asian Development Bank.”
The upgradation of GBIA was started in January 2015, targeting to complete it by December 2017. But conflict between contractors, Tarai-Madhesh movement, and also lack of construction materials after earthquake of 2015 consequently pushed the completion deadline to June 15, 2018.
GBIA is expected to play a major role in making the Visit Nepal 2020 campaign a success.

Gautam Buddha Airport to be fully solar-powered airport

Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa is going to be the second fully solar-powered airport in the world,
The airport that is expected to open in early 2020 – after India’s Cochin International Airport which earned the distinction in 2015 – will operate on energy from the sun. “It will be a fully solar-powered airport including from the air traffic control room to baggage claim and runway lights to ground control rooms and passenger terminals,” according to Asian Development Bank (ADB), the multilateral development partner that has funded the international airport.
The airport premises contain plenty of vacant space that will be used to set up solar panels, according to the ADB that has agreed ‘in principle’ to fund the ‘green airport’ project separately.
The airport – that covers an area of 787 bighas – aims to create a power neutral airport which means that it can produce as much energy as it consumes.
The project aims to produce 10 MW of solar power, according to the plan. “The surplus energy will be added into the national grid.”
Estimated to cost nearly $10 million, or $1 million per MW the solar panel installation will take around six months to complete. Since the airport will not have to pay any electric utility bill, its only expenses will be repair costs. Instead the airport can earn revenue by selling extra energy, according to the multilateral lender.
Though, the airport was initially estimated to be ready by December 2017, fuel and building material shortages due to the months-long Tarai banda in 2015 delayed the upgradation work. The project is expected to come into operation by early 2020, the Visit Nepal Year, when the country is expecting to host 2 million tourists.
In March, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) awarded a $4.83 million contract to install communications, navigation and surveillance and air traffic management systems at the airport to Aeronautical Radio of Thailand.
Located in southern plains of Nepal, the Gautam Buddha International Airport is the gateway to the international pilgrimage destination of Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha.
The government has awarded civil works contract worth Rs 6.22 billion to China’s Northwest Civil Aviation Airport Construction Group in November 2013.