Tikapur Airport in Kailali, closed for regular flights since February 1997, resumed flights from Sunday. Tara Air’s flight YT 1701, carrying 16 passengers, landed at the airport at 1:44 PM, officially marking the return of regular air services to the region.
The reopening was made possible through efforts by Tikapur Municipality in coordination with Tara Air and Yeti Airlines. Tikapur Airport, originally inaugurated on October 11, 1984, has resumed operations to strengthen connectivity and promote local tourism.
Mayor Ram Lal Dagora Tharu stated that flights will operate on Sundays and Thursdays on the Kathmandu-Nepalgunj-Tikapur and Tikapur-Nepalgunj-Kathmandu routes. Yeti Airlines will handle Kathmandu-Nepalgunj flights, with connecting services to Tikapur provided by Tara Air. The municipality has secured an agreement with Tara Air, guaranteeing a minimum of 15 seats per flight.
The one-way fare for the Kathmandu-Tikapur flight has been set at Rs 9,000. Pathil Holidays has been appointed as the authorized sales agent, with tickets available at outlets in Siddhartha Hotel, Tikapur, Tinkune, Kathmandu, and through travel agencies.
Tikapur Municipality collaborated with local tourism stakeholders to ensure the success of this initiative. Test flights by Nepal Airlines and Tara Air were conducted earlier.
Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey, and State Minister Arun Kumar Chaudhary played key roles in the airport's reopening. Minister Chaudhary pledged to improve the airport further and introduce direct Kathmandu-Tikapur flights soon.
The resumption of flights is expected to benefit residents of nearby districts, including Kailali, Surkhet, and Bardiya, who previously relied on Dhangadhi or Nepalgunj airports for air travel. -- RSS
