Owais Crawford
The Pokhara Regional International Airport (PRIA) in Nepal began operations on 1 January 2023. The airport is expected to handle up to one million passengers per year and will serve as an aerial gateway to the Himalayan and Annapurna regions of Nepal. The airport's construction was completed in 2022, with an estimated cost of around $305 million. The project faced several delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and protests from locals regarding the flattening of Rithepani Hill to facilitate aircraft approach. The airport is equipped with modern infrastructure, including a 2,500-meter runway, passenger terminals, and advanced security systems. The opening of the airport is expected to boost tourism and economic development in the region, providing easier access to popular trekking destinations in Nepal.
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What You'll Learn
The airport opened in 2023
The Pokhara Regional International Airport (PRIA) in Nepal opened on 1 January 2023. The airport is located in Chhinne Danda in the Kaski District, 800m above sea level, and serves as an aerial gateway to the Himalayan and Annapurna regions of Nepal. The airport is Nepal's third international airport and is expected to handle up to one million passengers per year.
The idea of constructing an international airport in Pokhara was first proposed in 1971, and the government of Nepal acquired land for the project in 1976. However, the project stalled and was only reinstated in 2009 following a new air travel agreement between India and Nepal. Construction finally began in April 2016, and the airport officially opened in January 2023, with the first international flight arriving in June 2023.
The airport features a mix of international and domestic terminals, with specific bays allocated for different types of aircraft. The international terminal has a capacity of 650 passengers per hour and can accommodate up to 610 departing visitors an hour. The airport is equipped with the necessary navigation and communication equipment, including an Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower, and security features such as X-ray machines and metal detectors.
The opening of the Pokhara Regional International Airport was a significant milestone for Nepal's aviation industry and is expected to boost tourism in the region. The airport will provide direct access to the popular trekking destination of Pokhara, known for its natural beauty, including mountain ranges, lakes, and valleys. The new airport will also help reduce congestion at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, which has been operating beyond its maximum capacity.
While some have criticised the project as unnecessary, others have welcomed it as a necessary addition to Nepal's infrastructure. The project faced several delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and protests from locals, but it eventually opened in 2023 and is now a fully operational international airport.
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It was built to reduce air traffic congestion
The Pokhara Regional International Airport in Nepal was built to address the air traffic congestion at Tribhuvan International Airport, the only international airport in Kathmandu. The new airport, located in the country's second-biggest city, will provide an alternative aerial gateway to the popular Annapurna region trekking area.
The old Kathmandu airport has been associated with problems like air traffic congestion, parking congestion, and old technology. The new airport in Pokhara will help alleviate these issues, providing an option for tourists to land directly in Pokhara instead of transiting through the busy skies of Kathmandu.
The construction of the Pokhara airport began in April 2016, with the foundation stone laid by then-Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The airport was initially targeted to be completed by July 10, 2021, but the deadline was extended due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors. The project faced some delays due to protests from locals regarding the need to flatten Rithepani Hill to facilitate aircraft approach.
The airport officially began operations on January 1, 2023, with the first flight being a Buddha Air flight carrying the Prime Minister and his delegation. The airport features a 2,500-meter concrete runway, a parallel taxiway, and two terminals with a total area of 14,000 square meters. It is expected to handle up to one million passengers per year, with the international terminal accommodating up to 610 departing visitors per hour.
The opening of the Pokhara Regional International Airport is expected to contribute to economic and social development and promote tourism in the region. It will provide a direct connection between the tourism destination of Pokhara and the globe, with direct services to major international hubs.
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The project was delayed by COVID-19
The construction of the Pokhara Regional International Airport was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, causing delays in the original timeline. The project, which broke ground in April 2016, was initially scheduled for completion in July 2021. However, the pandemic's second wave in 2021 and the potential third wave created challenges in meeting this deadline.
Project chief V. Munakarmi acknowledged the impact of COVID-19, stating that the construction timeline had to be extended until July 10, 2022, due to difficulties in completing the work on time. Despite the challenges, workers persevered during the Coronavirus lockdown, aiming to finish 92% of the work by 2020 and the remaining 8% by September 2021.
In October 2021, officials provided an update, confirming a phased opening for the airport. Domestic flights were scheduled to commence in January 2022, with international flights following in April 2022. The impact of the pandemic on construction deadlines resulted in this revised timeline.
The COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal was a significant factor in the delay of the Pokhara Regional International Airport project. The construction deadline was extended until 2022 due to the pandemic's effects, demonstrating how the global health crisis disrupted infrastructure development worldwide.
The airport ultimately began operations on January 1, 2023, marking a significant milestone for Nepal's aviation industry. Despite the delays caused by COVID-19, the project was completed, and the airport now serves as an important gateway for travellers visiting the country's popular trekking regions.
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The project was marred by corruption and inflated costs
The construction of the Pokhara Regional International Airport has been marred by allegations of corruption, financial mismanagement, and inflated costs. A parliamentary report submitted to the Public Accounts Committee of the federal parliament revealed extensive financial irregularities, procedural lapses, and possible corruption in the airport's construction. The report highlighted instances of budget allocation manipulation, with specific line items reduced and then reintroduced under different categories, indicating an intentional effort to obscure actual costs and justify unauthorised expenditures.
The project also faced criticism for deviating from the original contractual terms. Several items, including HVAC systems and fuel storage facilities, were funded through the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal's internal budget, raising concerns about cost overruns and inflated spending. The report identified several high-ranking officials, engineers, administrators, and former CAAN director generals as complicit in the financial mismanagement.
The decision to award the construction contract to a Chinese company, despite inflated proposals, also raised questions about the integrity of the bidding process and government oversight. The project faced further delays and protests due to the need to flatten nearby Rithepani Hill to facilitate aircraft approach. The COVID-19 pandemic also impacted the construction deadline, extending it until 2022.
The airport was formally inaugurated on January 1, 2023, by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. However, the project faced criticism for its operational performance, with only a handful of international flights recorded annually, failing to deliver on its promise of bolstering regional connectivity and economic development. The investigation into the corruption allegations is ongoing, with the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) leading the probe.
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The airport is equipped with modern security and convenience facilities
The Pokhara Regional International Airport in Nepal is a highly anticipated project that began operations on 1 January 2023. The airport is expected to handle up to one million passengers per year, significantly boosting the country's tourism industry and contributing to economic and social development.
The landside infrastructure boasts a spacious 10,000 square meter international terminal, capable of handling 650 passengers per hour, and a 4,000 square meter domestic terminal, each with separate parking areas and bays specifically designed for different aircraft types. The taxiway, exit taxiways, access roads, and aerodrome pavement further enhance the airport's functionality and efficiency.
Additionally, the airport incorporates modern security measures to ensure the safety of its passengers and staff. The implementation of advanced technologies and systems ensures efficient security checks and streamlined operations, contributing to a seamless travel experience for all who pass through its gates.
The completion of the Pokhara Regional International Airport has been a long-awaited development, and its modern facilities and infrastructure are designed to meet the needs of travellers, promoting tourism and economic growth in the region.
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Frequently asked questions
Pokhara Regional Airport opened on 1 January 2023.
Construction of the airport began in April 2016, though some sources state that it began in July 2017.
The airport can handle up to one million passengers per year. The international terminal can accommodate up to 610 departing visitors per hour, while the domestic terminal can handle 650 passengers per hour.
Air India, Buddha Air, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, and Air Astra are among the airlines that operate or have announced plans to operate from the airport.
The airport reduces congestion at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, providing an alternative aerial gateway to the Annapurna region. It also promotes economic and social development and boosts tourism in the region.
