January 26: Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA), which has been operational since May 16 last year, is currently closed for international flights. Himalaya Airlines and Jazeera Airlines, which had been operating international flights from the airport in Bhairahawa, have suspended their flights since the last one month. The airport has been in operation for eight months now. Himalaya Airlines and Jazeera Airlines have stopped flying from December 15 and 21 respectively. 

Govinda Prasad Dahal, general manager of Gautam Buddha Airport Office, said that international flights have not been operated at the airport since then.

"The annual income from domestic flights is up to Rs 350 million," said Dahal, "Although it is sufficient to manage the regular expenses of the airport, it seems that it will be difficult to pay the principal/interest of foreign loans."

According to him, the airport has to pay Rs 400 million in annual instalments as the principal and interest amount. According to the loan agreement, the principal and interest of the loan taken at this airport should be paid in every six months. The airport has to pay Rs 33.3 million per month.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and OPEC Fund for International Development (OFFID) have invested in this airport. Although the problem of early morning flight delays due to adverse weather during the winter is not a new issue, this airport has been equipped with technology to ensure that there is no problem in flight/landing even in low visibility.

Even though the ILF (Instrument Landing System) technology that can land aircraft in low visibility (800 to 900 meters) has been installed, it has not been able to function smoothy.

Dahal said that India has not given permission to implement the ILF. 

According to Dahal, the airport is struggling to operate because of inclement weather and less number of passengers.

Dahal said that the passengers are compelled to take labour permits and other documents from the Department of Foreign Employment and also undergo health check-ups in Kathmandu, the passengers are reluctant to visit Bhairahawa for international flights.

"The main problem now is the visa centres, labour offices, and health examination, which is not available in Bhairahawa," said Dahal.

Likewise, Indian citizens cannot fly directly to this airport even now.

He said that the Indian government is yet to issue the No Objection Certificate (NOC) required for its citizens to go to other foreign destinations from this airport, so Indian passengers are not allowed to fly from this airport.

Vice President of Himalaya Airlines Vijay Shrestha said that they were forced to suspend the flights due to lack of passengers.

So far, this airport has already served 25,481 passengers since it came into operation.