Nepal, known as the “Land of Sherpa,” is a destination that all travelers should visit. Nepal provides a wide variety of breathtaking sights, including views of Mount Everest, snowy landscapes, historic temples, and bright blue skies. Nepal has a lot to offer, whether it’s trekking or discovering the area’s regal vibe. Nepal draws a sizable number of visitors from all over the world and is always crowded with travelers. Travelers now have an easier time experiencing Nepal’s unmatched beauty because to the country’s several airports. The several airports in Nepal make a significant contribution to tourism there. For your convenience, we have covered every aspect of Nepal’s airports.
Facts about Airports in Nepal
- Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) in Lumbini, and Pokhara International Airport (PIA) in Pokhara are the three international airports in Nepal.
- Additionally, there are 54 airports nationwide, including 34 operational international and domestic airports.
- The biggest and busiest airport in Nepal is called TIA. Over 90,000 passengers can be handled each day by a fully operational TIA.
Tribhuvan International Airport:
There is only one international airport in Nepal, and it is in Kathmandu, the country’s capital. The seven world heritage sites are located here, which is regarded as the entrance to the Nepalese Himalayas. The airport was opened in 1955 by King Mahendra of Nepal, and in 1964 it received its current name. In honor of King Mahendra’s father, the airport’s original name, Gaucher Airport, was changed to Tribhuvan International Airport a few years later. The airport features a single terminal for both domestic and international travel. Additionally, 30 airlines currently connect Nepal with a number of locations in Asia and the Middle East via this airport.
Operating Airlines:
For International flights – Air Arabia, Air China, Air India,Bhutan Airlines, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Cathay Dragon,China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Druk AirEtihad Airways, FlyDubai, Himalaya Airlines, IndiGo, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Regent Airways, SalamAir, Saurya Airlines, Shree Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, Silk Air, Thai Airways, Thai Lion Air, Tibet Airlines Turkish Airlines, Yeti Airlines
For Domestic flights – Nepal Airlines, Himalaya Airlines, Buddha Air, Shree Airlines, Saurya Airlines, Simrik Airlines, Sita Air, Tara Airlines, Yeti Airlines.
Lukla Airport:
Lukla, which only has a 1729-foot-long runway, is one of Nepal’s busiest domestic airports due to its reputation as being the closest airport to Mount Everest. It was built under the direction of Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary in the 1960s and is now known officially as Tenzing-Hillary Airport. It is widely acknowledged as the most dangerous airport in the world, and for good reason. In addition to having a short runway, it is also elevated by around 9500 feet, which causes two additional issues: thin air and slower landing times. The landings must also be completed all at once due to the airport’s mountainous surroundings.
Operating Airlines: Nepal Airlines, Sita Airlines, Tara Airlines, Summit Airlines
Simara Airport:
Simara Airport opened for business on July 4th, 1958. Since it is not reliant on any particular weather, the airport is open all year round. For the residents of Simara and the Bara District, the airport serves as a crucial conduit to supplies and services. The Simara Airport is one of Nepal’s busiest airports as well. Since it is connected to Raxaual, Nepal’s commercial center, it is possible to import and export commodities from India. Located near Birjung, 20 kilometers from the Simara airport, is the business town.
Operating Airlines: Buddha Air, Nepal Airlines.
Pokhara Airport:
The airport, which opened way back in 1958, serves the tiny town of Pokhara, which has a meager population of just a few thousand. Despite being a tiny town’s airport, Kathmandu International Airport benefits much from its presence. The Nepali government has started a large refurbishment to make it into an international airport due to the country’s rising reputation as a tourist destination. The new runways have a length of 8200 feet and a width of 147 feet. There will be numerous parallel taxiways as well. It is a project of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, connecting Kathmandu and Jomsom with sporadic flights to Manang.
Operating Airlines: Buddha Air, Sita Airlines, Nepal Airlines, Tara Air, Simrik Airlines, Yeti Airlines.
Biratnagar Airport:
The Biratnagar airport has served all domestic travelers’ needs since it opened its doors in 1958. The airport, which is situated at a height of 236 feet, is one of the busiest in Nepal. The Nepalese Air Force previously utilized the airfield in Biratnagar. Soon, there are plans to launch international flights out of the airport.
Operating Airlines: Buddha Air, Nepal Airlines, Sita Airlines, Yeti Airlines.
Bharatpur Airport:
The first passenger flight to land at Bharatpur Airport, which had been built in 1958, did so on March 5th, 1965. A few miles to the southwest of the heart of Bharatpur’s city is where the airport is located. All of Nepal’s major domestic airlines operate out of the 4th busiest airport in the nation, the Bharatpur Airport. The airport is capable of handling more challenging aircraft, such as three ATR-42, two Jetstream J-41, one Beech 1900, or any other STOL aircraft. The airport has a single runway and was built at 650 feet above sea level. Operating Airlines: Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, Simrik Airlines.
Jomsom Airport:
In the Nepalese district of Mustang in the Gandaki Province is Jomsom Airport, a public airport. It serves as both the district airport and the entrance to the Upper Mustang region. The airport’s elevation is 2736 meters (8976 feet). The airport has a single asphalt-paved runway that measures 810 m by 20 m. Tara Air and Summit Air provide service, and it can accommodate light planes. In a remote and mountainous area, the airport is situated. The Nepalese Army is stationed at the Jomson airfield, which is close to the Tibetan border.
Gautam Buddha Airport:
The Bhairahawa Airport is another name for the Gautam Buddha Airport. The Gautam Buddha Airport has begun offering international service to the Siddharthnagar and Lumbini regions of Nepal. Additionally, it is suggested that the airport be entirely solar-powered. One asphalt concrete (bituminous paved) runway with the designation 10/28 measures 3,000 by 45 meters (9,843 feet 148 ft) in the airport. It is designated 10/28 and faces east-west. On either side, there is a 200-meter Runway End Safety Area (RESA). It has a parallel taxiway (10-28) of 1,500 meters by 23 meters, which was originally used by domestic aircraft.
Nepalgunj Airport:
The Nepalgunj airport opened for business in the early 1960s and serves the surrounding area. The third-largest airport in the nation is the Nepalgunj airport, which is situated at a height of 540 feet. Visitors can also take a quick excursion to some of Nepal’s neighboring cities, like Birendranagar, Kohalpur, and others. The Nepalgunj Airport will also be transformed into an international airport, similar to many other airports in Nepal. Operating Airlines: Buddha Air, Nepal Airlines, Shaurya Airlines, Shree Airlines, Sita Air, Summit Air, Tara Air, Yeti Airlines