Aviation authorities had conducted a test flight at Lamidanda Airport, the oldest airport in Khotang, on June 17, 2019, following its blacktopping. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) completed the blacktopping with a total investment of Rs 67.7 million.

During the test flight, Constituent Assembly (CA) member Bishal Bhattarai announced that discussions were underway with CAAN to begin regular flights at Lamidanda Airport.

However, no flights have taken off or landed at the airport since the test flight. The airport, which had been operational since 1971, was blacktopped only half a decade ago.

The airport was initially constructed to serve devotees and tourists visiting Halesi, a major religious and tourist destination of the district, as well as residents of Okhaldhunga and Solukhumbu districts. Local residents had initiated the airport's construction in 1969 using local resources, leading to its operation two years later in 1971.

Currently, locals face significant challenges due to the suspension of regular flights at the airport. With no regular flights available, they are forced to charter helicopters to transport critically ill and injured individuals to other locations for treatment.

Phatik Kumar Shrestha, chairman of Rawabesi Rural Municipality, accused the state of doing a great injustice by reducing flights at the airport, which serves residents of three districts, as well as devotees and tourists traveling to Halesi, a religious site.

"We have been repeatedly requesting the concerned authorities to resume regular flights," he said. "However, no one has shown any interest in reopening the blacktopped airport."

Locals noted that airport employees and equipment were moved to other locations following the suspension of flights.

Lawmaker Ram Kumar Rai stated that efforts are ongoing to determine the reason behind the reduction in flights. "It is regrettable that flights at Lamidanda Airport have been curtailed. This airport, blacktopped with state funds, has been obstructed for the past six years," he said.

Khotang district has three airports, serving 10 local level governments. All three airports, constructed to provide air services to local residents across the district, have been blacktopped with investment from CAAN. -- RSS