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Kathmandu,Nepal: Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation Minister Badri Prasad Pandey has revealed that despite offering various incentives and facilities, airlines have shown limited interest in operating from Bhairahawa and Pokhara airports. Speaking at a recent event, Minister Pandey explained that while the government has approved an operational plan with numerous concessions to attract airlines, the response has been disappointing.
The situation has created a significant imbalance, with Tribhuvan International Airport handling double its passenger capacity while other international airports remain underutilized. The government has introduced a two-year incentive package for both Bhairahawa International Airport and Pokhara Regional Airport to encourage airline operations, but the response has been minimal.
The incentive package includes substantial benefits such as reduced fuel costs and the waiver of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) fees. The minister also mentioned that discussions are ongoing regarding the possible exemption of Value Added Tax (VAT) on airline tickets. Additionally, the government has planned to establish immigration offices, labor offices, and quarantine facilities at both Pokhara and Bhairahawa airports to facilitate operations.
Despite these comprehensive incentives, only two or three airlines have shown interest in operating from Bhairahawa, while Pokhara has received no applications from new airlines. Minister Pandey acknowledged that the main challenge lies in changing passenger behavior and creating attractions to encourage both domestic and international travelers to use airports outside Kathmandu. The government continues to explore ways to make these regional airports more attractive to both airlines and passengers.
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