Kathmandu, Nov 11: Qatar Airways will begin daily flights from Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) starting Tuesday, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). The airline’s inaugural flight marks a significant milestone for the airport and the region.
CAAN’s spokesperson, Gyanendra Bhul, stated that the commencement of daily Qatar Airways flights from Gautam Buddha Airport is a notable achievement, symbolizing international recognition for Nepal’s second international airport. Bhul added that the operation of major global airlines, including Qatar Airways, Fly Dubai, Thai AirAsia, and Jazeera Airways, from this airport underscores its growing strategic importance.
“This international flight from Bhairahawa means that Nepal’s international airport has been recognized by the global aeronautical community,” Bhul said.
According to Bhul, the international flights from the airport will help control airfare pricing. The government’s air service agreements with several countries set fuel prices and competition-based airfare rates, which will now be more effectively managed with the introduction of global carriers. The competition from both domestic and international airlines will lead to better fare systems, he explained.
The Nepalese government has introduced airport incentive packages to encourage airlines to operate commercial flights from new airports, which is expected to drive competitive aviation services. Bhul also highlighted that the international recognition of the airport by Qatar Airways will contribute significantly to the airport’s full operational capacity in the future.
Qatar Airways will operate two daily flights from Kathmandu and one daily flight from Bhairahawa until November 30, 2024. Before the Kathmandu’s airport renovation, Qatar Airways had been operating four daily flights to Kathmandu. With this addition, Gautam Buddha International Airport now hosts five airlines offering international services.
After a long wait, Gautam Buddha International Airport has seen a surge in international flights. Previously, Nepal Airlines, Jazeera Airways, and Fly Dubai had been operating international flights. On Kartik 14, 2081BS, for the first time, the airport saw three international flights operate on the same day. Thai AirAsia began commercial flights on Kartik 18, and Fly Dubai started its operations from Kartik 24, offering daily flights between Dubai and Bhairahawa, as well as between Bhairahawa and Kathmandu.
Nepal Airlines has been operating flights to Kuala Lumpur and Dubai from Bhairahawa as well. Gautam Buddha International Airport, which was inaugurated on Jestha 2, 2079 BS, is expected to see an increasing number of international flights, in line with the government’s plan to fully operationalize both of Nepal’s international airports. #nepal #GBIA #flight #QatarAir
