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Butwal, Aug 15: Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa has not seen a single international flight for the past five months, leaving hotel owners, tourism entrepreneurs, and locals disheartened. Despite billions of rupees invested, the airport has failed to deliver on its promise of becoming a gateway for international travelers.

The airport last hosted international flights between January and March 2025, when Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu was under maintenance. During that three-month window, 299 flights operated by Nepal Airlines, Jazeera, FlyDubai, and Thai AirAsia brought over 15,000 passengers. But since April, foreign airlines have suspended services, citing weather and visibility issues. Even after new navigation technology was introduced, flights ceased once Kathmandu airport resumed full operations.

Local businesses accuse the government of lacking commitment. Tour operator Chandra Thapa blames the dominance of Kathmandu-based travel agencies and airlines’ refusal to open offices in Bhairahawa. He argues that if the government wanted, even a single aircraft from Nepal Airlines or Himalaya Airlines could have been stationed there for regular flights. Thapa suggests that Thai AirAsia could draw Buddhist pilgrims through routes connecting Bhairahawa with Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, and Kushinagar.

Another businessman, Sanjay Vajimaya, highlights the need for practical reforms: airline ticket counters at the airport, an e-visa system, international digital payments, medical centers for Saudi-bound workers, and direct flights from Buddhist-majority countries.

Investors warn that nearly Rs 100 billion tied up in hotels and tourism is at risk. Many establishments are running at a loss, some forced to sell off properties to repay loans. Siddhartha Chamber of Commerce president Netra Acharya says the absence of manpower and health test offices for migrant workers gives airlines an easy excuse not to fly from Bhairahawa.

The airport was inaugurated in May 2022 by then Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. It has full facilities including customs, immigration, fuel depot, and health desks, with over 500 staff from various agencies deployed. Yet, most are confined to administrative duties at an airport without flights.

A struggle committee has been formed to press for full operation. Business leaders are combining protests and negotiations, warning of the collapse of private investment in the region. Once seen as the gateway to Lumbini, only 25 minutes away, the airport has failed to attract international tourists.

Between 2022 and 2024, only 731 international flights operated from the airport, carrying just 45,573 passengers. This is far below its capacity: the facility can handle 50 international flights a day and over 3 million passengers annually.

Built with loans and grants from the Asian Development Bank, OPEC Fund, and Nepal government, the airport cost over Rs 63 billion. Land acquisition alone took nearly a decade, with Rs 22 billion distributed in compensation for 452 bighas, sparking allegations of corruption over unnecessary land purchases.

Airport chief Pratap Tiwari says Thai AirAsia plans to restart twice-weekly flights from October 26, but doubts remain over whether the airport will ever achieve regular operations as originally envisioned.

People’s News Monitoring Service