Chitwan, June 20
Shree Airlines has successfully conducted a test flight from Kathmandu to Bharatpur, marking a significant milestone for the airline and the region. The flight, which took off from Kathmandu this morning, landed smoothly at Bharatpur Airport, despite its short runway.
The test flight carried high-profile passengers including Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane, Tourism Minister Hit Bahadur Tamang, and a team of technical staff. Shree Airlines’ Managing Director, Sudhir Mittal, confirmed the success of the flight, stating that there were no issues encountered during the test.
Mittal highlighted concerns regarding the safety of the airport, noting that structures built to the east of the airfield pose potential risks. However, he expressed optimism about the future, revealing that Shree Airlines is preparing to commence regular flights once they receive authorization from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.
The approval process for regular flights is expected to take some time, Mittal added. Currently, Buddha Air operates the only flights on the Kathmandu-Bharatpur and Pokhara-Bharatpur routes with 42-seater aircraft. In the past, Yeti Airlines also flew to Bharatpur, but those services have since been discontinued.
Shree Airlines plans to introduce 80-seater planes to the Bharatpur route, which is expected to result in reduced fares. Presently, Buddha Air charges over Rs 4,800 for a one-way ticket from Bharatpur to Kathmandu.
Construction of a new terminal building at Bharatpur Airport is underway, alongside ongoing expansion efforts. The terminal and airport expansion are crucial for accommodating larger aircraft and increasing passenger capacity.
Home Minister Lamichhane, Tourism Minister Tamang, and Bharatpur Metropolitan City Mayor Renu Dahal inspected the new terminal building during the test flight event. Mayor Dahal celebrated the successful test flight as a realisation of a long-held dream for the city’s residents.
Tourism Minister Tamang announced plans to commence runway expansion within a year. Home Minister Lamichhane pledged full support for the airport’s development.
Despite the successful test flight of the larger aircraft, night flights will not be possible until the runway is extended. The expansion aims to extend the runway to 1600 meters by utilising land currently occupied by the Nepal Army’s horse breeding centre to the west of the airport.
