Kathmandu – Tribhuvan International Airport will now close for 10 hours each day to allow for significant expansion work, as per the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). The expansion includes constructing a parallel taxiway on the southwest side, enlarging the international apron to the north, and expanding the hangar apron to the east, all aimed at enhancing airport capacity. This project is expected to cost around NPR 15 billion and will pause all flights between 10 PM and 8 AM to enable construction.
Previously, the airport operated from 6 AM to 2 AM. The airport has seen multiple repairs and expansions, including a runway extension in 2020, which required a 12-hour flight suspension daily. In 2018, the airport closed for 10 hours each day over four months for full runway maintenance, reducing flights by about 30%. Currently, 19 domestic airlines, including 11 helicopter services, and 30 international airlines, including three Nepali carriers, operate here. On average, Tribhuvan Airport handles over 300 domestic flights and 100 international flights daily.
Related:Chilime–Trishuli 220 kV Transmission Line Now In Operation
About: Tribhuvan International Airport
Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, Nepal’s main international gateway since 1955, serves both domestic and international flights. Handling high traffic with a single runway, TIA is currently expanding its capacity by adding a parallel taxiway and upgrading aprons, requiring a daily 10-hour closure from 10 PM to 8 AM. Over 30 international airlines and various domestic carriers operate here, connecting mainly to South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. As Nepal’s busiest airport, TIA is essential for tourism and trade, with new airports planned to ease congestion.
