May 12: Regular flights have started to and from the Resunga Airport in Gulmi from Friday. 

The Twin Otter aircraft of Nepal Airlines Corporation has started operating regular flights. The Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has prepared to operate flights on Tuesdays as well. 

The NAC’s aircraft had successfully conducted a test flight at Resunga airport two weeks ago, confirming that people from Gulmi could avail air service. 

Akhileshwor Pandey, a resident of Ward No. 1 of Resunga Municipality, who was the first passenger to come in the commercial flight, said that he felt safe, comfortable, and reliable and reached his home district quickly.

Furthermore, Parvati Bhusal of the Gulmi Durbar Rural Municipality-2 said that she could arrive Gulmi from Kathmandu in a short time. “The air connectivity has brought Gulmi and Kathmandu closer,” said Bhusal.

 The aircraft that flew from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu at 6:30 am landed at Resunga Airport at 7:15 AM.  According to Captain Manish Bista, the captain of the flight, flight along the Kathmandu- Resunga airport will now be regular every Friday.

 "Looking at the condition of the airport during the test, we conducted the flight in the morning. There will be flights only on Fridays for now, and we have prepared to operate flights on Tuesdays as well," said Captain Bista.

Khildhowj Panthi, chief of Resunga Municipality, shared that NAC had started its flight to Resunga Airport after prolonged efforts. “The direct flight from TIA to Resunga Airport has made dream of the people of Gulmi to avail air service a reality,” Panthii added.

Panthi expressed his happiness for the start of regular air services from the airport. He said that the airport would be a milestone for the development of the municipality and surrounding areas. 

On the first commercial flight of the NAC, 14 passengers were on board the plane that landed at the Resunga Airport. The NAC aircraft had departed from the Resunga Airport with 14 passengers on board in its return flight.

The NAC is preparing to carry 18 passengers on its next flight as per aircraft’s capacity. The fare has been set at Rs. 6,300 per passenger.

Earlier, Tara Air's plane had conducted a test flight at the Resunga Airport on June 8, 2018 and December 29, 2018.  However, the plane's flights were suspended citing expensive fare. 

The airport is spread over an area of 156 ropanis and was constructed at a cost of Rs. 35 crores.