June 27: Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) is preparing to operate direct flights from Bhairahawa to Hong Kong. The national flag-carrier of Nepal, which is currently conducting direct flight to Hong Kong from Kathmandu, is making preparations to operate direct flight to Hong Kong from Bhairahawa with the goal of bringing maximum number of tourists through air connectivity between Hong Kong and Lumbini, the birth place of the Buddha.    
Nepal Airlines also plans to operate flight from Bhairahawa to New Delhi, India, soon. Ramesh Poudel, spokesperson for the Nepal Airlines, said that final preparations are being made to operate direct flights from Bhairahawa to Hong Kong and New Delhi.    
"We have made preparation for the Bhairahawa-Hong Kong flight. It will be finalized in a day or two. We also plan to expand flights to other countries as well, including New Delhi of India," he said.    
According to spokesperson Poudel, ticket bookings would be opened within 15 days from now for flights to both Hong Kong and New Delhi. Nepal Airlines is planning to operate flights to more destinations such as Dubai and Doha as well.    
Nepal Airlines is operating two flights a week to Hong Kong from Kathmandu at present and daily two flights to New Delhi.    
Poudel said that the number of flights to these destinations from Bhairahawa is not finalized yet.    
Nepal Airlines has been operating regular flights from the Bhirahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport from June 12. It has been operating flights on Bhairahawa-Malaysia and Malaysia-Bhairahawa-Kathmandu routes.    
Bhairahawa Airport came into commercial operation since May 16, 2022. Only Jazeera Air had been operating flights to this airport since then, but the company has suspended flights lately citing technical reasons. -- RSS