In a significant development for Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA), three international airlines operated flights on Saturday. The increase in flights to GBIA follows a ten-hour daily closure of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) for essential upgrades, directing increased traffic to GBIA as an alternative international gateway.
On Saturday, Jazeera Airways brought 171 passengers to GBIA, joined by Fly Dubai and Nepal Airlines, both conducting flights the same day. According to Pratap Babu Tiwari, General Manager of GBIA, Jazeera Airways will now operate three flights a week—on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays—while Fly Dubai plans to run daily flights to Bhairahawa. Nepal Airlines, the national flag carrier, will connect GBIA with Dubai three times a week on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays, the state-run national news agency RSS reported.
This boost in international flights follows a series of government efforts to establish GBIA as an alternative to TIA, including incentives to attract foreign airlines. Despite its inauguration more than two years ago on May 16, 2022, GBIA has struggled to maintain regular international flights, primarily due to limited demand and logistical challenges.
Investors have poured billions of rupees into developing tourism infrastructure in the region, anticipating a surge in pilgrims to Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, following the operation of GBIA. However, this vision remains unfulfilled as GBIA has faced challenges in attracting consistent international flights and visitors.
The recent uptick in flights, prompted by the temporary closure of Tribhuvan International Airport for upgrades, has provided a boost, positioning GBIA as a viable alternative to TIA and raising hopes that Lumbini’s tourism economy will finally gain momentum.
With the addition of these flights, a total of four international airlines, including Thai AirAsia, have begun regular operations at GBIA, marking a milestone in the airport’s journey to increase its relevance on the international stage.
