The main and only international airport in Nepal is the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Nepal is also home to one of the most dangerous airports in the world, the Lukla Airport or Tenzing Hillary Airport. Located close to Mount Everest and surrounded by it, it is very difficult to land at this airport, and only a few experienced pilots are authorized to land there. Nepal is served by eight other domestic airports, while other airports are under construction and being renovated.
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This airport in Kathmandu started its operations way back in 1955. The airbase took its name from the King of Nepal in 1964. It is a very busy airport that juggles tons of national as well as international flights on a single runway of 4390 feet in length. The sheer amount of traffic and inadequate infrastructure have made it infamous for being the most perilous airspace in the world. Due to these difficulties, much of the air traffic has to wait or divert to India or Bangladesh before landing in Kathmandu. There are three terminals, out of which two serve for the passengers. One is for VIP delegates from different countries.
Services: Radisson Hotel and Thai Airways have exquisite lounges on offer for their business class passengers. Operating Airlines: For International flights - Air Arabia, Air China, Air India,Bhutan Airlines, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Cathay Dragon,China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Druk AirEtihad Airways, FlyDubai, Himalaya Airlines, IndiGo, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Regent Airways, SalamAir, Saurya Airlines, Shree Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, Silk Air, Thai Airways, Thai Lion Air, Tibet Airlines Turkish Airlines, Yeti Airlines For Domestic flights - Nepal Airlines, Himalaya Airlines, Buddha Air, Shree Airlines, Saurya Airlines, Simrik Airlines, Sita Air, Tara Airlines, Yeti Airlines. Serves: Kathmandu, Nepal Airport Codes:IATA – KTM, ICAO - VNKT
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With a small runway length of 1729 feet, Lukla is one of the busiest domestic airports in Nepal, owing to its popularity as the nearest airport to Mount Everest. Officially delivering services as Tenzing-Hillary airport, it was constructed under the leadership of Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary in the 60s. It is regarded as the most dangerous airport in the world and it is rightly known so. Apart from a short runway, it has an elevation of about 9500 feet, which results in two more problems: thin air and less landing time. Additionally, the landings must be in one go as mountains surround the airport. Minimal landing aids and inconsistent weather may further worsen the condition. Pilots have to undergo specialized training by the airport's staff and get licensed by them before they can perform flight operations at this airport.
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Commenced way back in 1958, the airport serves to the small town of Pokhara, with a meager population of only a few thousand. In spite of serving a small town, it has a pivotal role in a diversion Airport to Kathmandu International Airport. With growing popularity as a tourist spot, the Nepal government has initiated its massive renovation as an international airport. The new runways will be 8,200 feet long and have a breadth of 147 feet. It is a Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal undertaking, and it interconnects Kathmandu and Jomsom with occasional flights to Manang.
Since its commencement in 1958, Simara Airport has facilitated the air transport of Pipara, which is about 16 km from Birgunj. Birgunj has transnational trading routes to Indian cities like Raxaul, Patna, and many more. Only Buddha Air interconnects with other cities in Nepal. The length of the runways is close to 4000 feet, and is perched at an altitude of 450 feet.
Operating Airlines: Buddha Air, Nepal Airlines. Serves: Jitpur Simara and Birgunj, Nepal Airport Codes:IATA – SIF, ICAO - VNSI
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Situated at about 1.6 km from Bharatpur, the main city of Chitwan District, this airport has a major inflow of passengers heading towards Chitwan National Park. With an 1158 m by 30 m solitary runway, all major domestic aircraft carriers are operating here.
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Biratnagar Airport is one of the most pivotal airports in Nepal as it caters to the colossal and thickly populated city of Biratnagar. Few distinguishing features of Biratnagar include 5000 feet by 98 feet asphalt runway and a facility for aircraft refueling. Though Biratnagar is a major industrial hub, it opens up to many well-known tourist destinations. Earlier, it was used by the Nepali Air Force.
Operating Airlines: Buddha Air, Nepal Airlines, Sita Airlines, Yeti Airlines. Serves: Biratnagar, Nepal Airport Codes:IATA – BIR, ICAO - VNVT
7. Surkhet Airport
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Being situated about a few miles from Birendranagar, it is also known as Birendranagar Airport. Like most other airports in Nepal, it is also has a single runway. It mainly features villages like Jumla, Mugu, and Kalikot. Major attractions of these places are skiing slopes, serene Himalayan ranges, and pristine rivers like Bheri and Bulbule Taal. A daily flight from Surkhet to Kathmandu is also available.
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Inaugurated way back in 1961, this airport rules the skies of Nepalgunj city in Banke district. This airport in Nepal is an important business hub for Mahakali, Rapti, and Bheri. A significant percentage of passengers include tourists from Bardia National Park and Bageshwari Temple. The airport is one of the busiest, handling multitudes of flights on a single asphalt runway of 5000 feet by 98 feet. Flying Dragon airlines which are a common initiative of China and Nepal.
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This is one of the most treacherous airports in Nepal and also in the world. At about 8900 feet, it sits on top of Kali Gandaki River canyon, and it connects the city of Jomsom to the rest of Nepal. It serves as a gateway to many tourist destinations, including Muktinath temple, which is a favorite choice of both Nepalese and Indians. It has an asphalt airstrip that is 2,400 feet long and 66 feet wide. The air route to this airport is filled with snow-capped mountain ranges. If you happen to travel through this route on the right time of the day, the sun shining on the snow-capped mountains will amaze you.
Operating Airlines: Nepal Airlines, Sita Air, Tara Air Serves: Jomsom, Nepal Airport Codes:IATA - JMO, ICAO - VNJS
10. Bajura Airport
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Bajura is a district in the Far Western Development Region of Nepal. Bajura Airport, which serves the Bajura district, has an altitude of 4300 feet above sea level. There is a single runway of 1706 feet in length. Bajura district is home to the Jiulekmandu temple and Badimalika temples. For nature lovers, activities like bird watching and hiking through the Himalayan ranges in Bajura will surely leave one astounded.
Operating Airlines: Nepal Airlines, Sita Air, Summit Air, Tara Air Serves: Bajura District Airport Codes: IATA - BJU, ICAO - VNBR
The highest elevation with shorter runways makes some of the airports in Nepal spine-chilling. Once you get off the runway, you can enjoy the serene mountain ranges interspersed on most of the air routes of Nepal. Many of the airports still serve only domestic passengers; the Civil Aviation Authority and the government of Nepal are trying to upgrade many of them to serve tourists. To sum it up, you will definitely have a fun time in the skies of Nepal.
