Pokhara International Airport
Pokhara International Airport (Nepali: पोखरा अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय विमानस्थल) (ICAO: VNPR) is an international airport in Pokhara, Gandaki Province, Nepal. It is located 3 km (1.9 mi) east of the old domestic airport, which it will gradually replace. The airport is Nepal's third international airport and officially began operations on 1 January 2023,[4] with STOL-operations to Jomsom still being operated from the old airport.[5] The airport is expected to handle one million passengers per year.[6]
Pokhara International Airport पोखरा अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय विमानस्थल | |
|---|---|
| Summary | |
| Airport type | Public |
| Owner | Government of Nepal |
| Operator | Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal |
| Serves | Pokhara |
| Location | Pokhara, Gandaki Province, Nepal |
| Opened | 1 January 2023[2][3] |
| Coordinates | 28°11′23″N 84°00′54″E / 28.189690°N 84.014893°ECoordinates: 28°11′23″N 84°00′54″E / 28.189690°N 84.014893°E |
| Website | pia |
| Map | |
Pokhara International Airport Location within Gandaki Pradesh Pokhara International Airport Pokhara International Airport (Nepal) | |
| Runways | |
History
The concept of constructing an international airport in Pokhara was first developed in 1971.[7] In 1976, the Government of Nepal acquired land for that purpose.[8] In 1989, the Japan International Cooperation Agency conducted a study regarding the construction of the airport.[9] The project stalled, however, and was reinitiated in 2009, when a new agreement on air travel between India and Nepal was signed.[10] In 2013, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal signed an agreement with China CAMC Engineering for the construction of the airport. The construction started in April 2016 and was expected to be completed after five years in 2021, with a cost of around US$305 million,[6] out of which The Export-Import Bank of China provided around US$215 million preferential loan to Nepal and provided part of loan interest to lower the total loan interest. Further, the Asian Development Bank provided US$37 million in loans and grants and the OPEC Fund for International Development provided a US$11 million loan.[11]
In April 2016, then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli laid the foundation stone of the airport, with the aim of beginning operations at the airport on 10 July 2021.[12] In 2020, it was proposed to open both new international airports of Nepal, Pokhara and Gautam Buddha Airport, on the same day.[13] In 2020, it was revealed that the close-by Rithepani Hill to the eastern end of the runway would need to be flattened to ease aircraft approach to the airport.[14] This decision was delayed due to severe protests by locals.[15] The flattening did not start until late 2022.[16]
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal, in 2021, the construction deadline was extended until 2022.[17] In October 2021, officials confirmed that the airport would open in two steps: domestic flights will begin in January 2022, while international flights will begin in April 2022.[18]
In 2022, it was announced that calibration flights would begin in October 2022.[19] They would later take place in late November 2022.[20]
In mid-2022, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal pushed back the opening to December 2022 due to a lack of flight inspections.[21] On 8 August 2022, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal set the official opening date for 1 January 2023.[22]
The airport was inaugurated by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on 1 January 2023. To celebrate the occasion, the city of Pokhara declared the day a public holiday.[23] The first flight to arrive at the airport was a Buddha Air flight carrying the Prime Minister and his delegation.[24]
Development of the airport continued immediately after the opening with an initial lack of customs facilities[25] and a fuel depot — initially, fuel was being carried from the old Pokhara Airport on trucks.[26]
Facilities
The airport is built to the category 4D standard, set by the ICAO, IATA, and FAA.[27][importance?]
Apron
The apron of the airport can handle up to three narrowbody aircraft with two aerobridges,[28] while the aprons at the domestic terminal are capable of accommodating up to four ATR-72 or Bombardier Q400 type and four Beechcraft 1900 or de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter type small aircraft.[importance?]
Runway
The airport has a single 2,500 m (8,200 ft) long runway with a width of 45 metres (148 ft). It has an east-west orientation with a 330-metre (1,080 ft) runway strip.[29] The airport has a concrete runway and has the markings of the centerline, edge, touchdown zone, and the threshold. The taxiway (1.2 kilometres (0.75 mi) long and 23 metres (75 ft) wide) is built from the runway central line on the north side parallel to the runway.[29] The airside infrastructure works also includes two 182.5-by-23-metre (599 ft × 75 ft) exit taxiways, access roads, and aerodrome pavement.[30] The runway is capable of handling aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and the Boeing 737.[31] All international landings and takeoffs will be done using the Eastern part of the runway. Domestic flights and landings will use both Eastern and Western sides.[32]
The airport features a 2,500-square-metre (27,000 sq ft) Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower, operations building and an air navigation unit. There are two non-precision approaches available at the Pokhara Airport; VHF omnidirectional range along a distance measuring equipment (VOR/DME) and Required Area Navigation (RNAV/RNP).[33] The airport is also equipped with a CAT-I ILS system, which includes equipment such as the localizer and the glide path to help aircraft in navigation.[34] The ATC tower also supports Wide area multilateration (WAM) based surveillance system, the first of its kind in Nepal.[35]
High intensity 870 metres (2,850 ft) extended centerline lights are installed at the southern end of the airport to assist with the approach. It is equipped with advanced communication, navigation, and monitoring equipment and a high-end navigational lighting system.[36] A QNH altimeter setting will be made available in approach and landing instructions.[importance?]. However, QNH coding has generally fallen out of favor to modern telemetry.
Terminals
There are two public terminals at the airport, one for international traffic and one for domestic traffic. The new airport infrastructure includes a 10,000-square-metre (110,000 sq ft) international terminal building with a steel roof as well as a 3,500-square-metre (38,000 sq ft) customs and cargo building.[27] The international terminal can handle up to 610 departing passengers per hour. Two terminals, one domestic and one international, will be able to handle one million passengers annually. The 4,000-square-metre (43,000 sq ft) domestic terminal is located to the western side of the airport.[citation needed]
Aircraft maintenance
Buddha Air plans on constructing a hangar that can accommodate aircraft up to the size of an Airbus A319.[37] The airport will also feature a 6,000-square-metre (65,000 sq ft) domestic and international hangar.[citation needed]
Air routes
Nepal has asked India since 2014 (or earlier) for new air routes, but has not received them. Even though air routes are governed by the Freedoms of the air commercial aviation rights, India and Nepal are both signatories to it but one of India's reasons is that it involves India's security.[38][39][40][41][42] Nepal has also proposed Himalaya 1, 2 and 3 air routes. These have not been implemented yet.[43][44][importance?]
In 2018, Buddha Air first announced that it was planning to operate its planned international fleet of Boeing or Airbus aircraft out of the airport.[45] In mid-2021, Biman Bangladesh Airlines was the first international carrier to plan to serve the airport upon opening.[46] The first Nepali Airline, Buddha Air, revealed plans in late 2022 to make Varanasi the first destination from the airport.[47] However, as of January 2023[update], there are no scheduled international flights.
Airlines and destinations
The helicopter operators Air Dynasty, Prabhu Helicopter and Simrik Air offer helicopter operations out of their respective hubs at Pokhara International Airport.[citation needed]
Access
The airport is located linked by an access road with the Prithvi Highway. Buses also connect the airport to Pokhara's city centre.[citation needed]
Incidents and accidents
- On 15 January 2023, Yeti Airlines Flight 691 crashed on approach to Pokhara International Airport. The aircraft, an ATR 72-500, was carrying 72 people on board with 68 passengers when it crashed on the bank of the Seti Gandaki River. The airport was closed as authorities launched a rescue operation.[51]
See also
References
- ^ "About Pokhara International Airport".
- ^ "Nepal: Pokhara International Airport Commences its Operation". News18. 3 January 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ "Pokhara takes off". Nepali Times. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ "Pokhara takes off". Nepali Times. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ Pokharel, Santosh (22 December 2022). "Pokhara's Old Airport to Remain Functional as CAAN Prepares to Launch Int'l Airport". República. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
- ^ a b . CAPA Centre for Aviation. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
- ^ Prasain, Sangam (20 March 2022). "Technical tests at Pokhara's new airport slated to begin in April". The Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
- ^ "Economic takeoff". Nepali Times. 3 August 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
- ^ Poudel, Ramesh (4 May 2012). "Finally, a new airport?". Nepali Times. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
- ^ "International Pokhara". Nepali Times. 30 October 2009. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ "Nepal's second international airport nearly complete, ready for takeoff: ADB". The Himalayan Times. 27 March 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
- ^ "Pokhara International Airport handed over to Nepal". República. 27 March 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
- ^ Gautam, Santosh (19 November 2020). "Bhairahawa and Pokhara Airport to inaugurate on same day". Aviation Nepal. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
- ^ Pokhrel, Diwas (16 December 2020). "Rithepani hill to cut down for Pokhara International Airport". Aviation Nepal. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
- ^ Baral, Krishnamani (21 March 2021). "Cabinet indecision delays Pokhara Airport". Nepali Times. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
- ^ Pokharel, Santosh (13 October 2022). "'Calibration flight' deferred further due to delay in cutting off Ritthepani hill". República. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
- ^ Prasain, Sangam. "Pokhara airport project okayed to flatten hill near runway". The Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
- ^ "Pokhara's new airport to operate domestic flights from January, international ones from April". Online Khabar. 3 October 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
- ^ "Test flights of Pokhara Regional International Airport in October". Nepal News. 24 March 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
- ^ "Technical testing of Pokhara's new airport begins". The Kathmandu Post. 21 November 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
- ^ Prasain, Sangnam (14 July 2022). "Pokhara airport opening delayed again to December". The Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- ^ (in Nepali). Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal. 8 August 2022. Archived from the original on 27 August 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ "Pokhara metropolis announces public holiday on Sunday to mark inauguration of int'l airport". República. 31 December 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
- ^ Prasain, Sangam (2 January 2023). "New Pokhara airport launches amid grim operational outlook". The Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
- ^ "Government gives green light to set up customs office at new Pokhara Airport". Online Khabar. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
- ^ Poudel, Dilip (8 January 2023). "Aviation fuel depot in Pokhara with an investment of Rs 680 million". República. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
- ^ a b Pokharel, Santosh. "'An infrastructure worth taking pride in has been built'". My Republica. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ Dixit, Kunda. "Pokhara: Nepal's new aviation gateway". Nepali Times. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ a b "Technical tests at Pokhara's new airport slated to begin in April". The Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ Bhatt, Ramesh P. (January 2015). Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of New Pokhara Regional International Airport. Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).
- ^ Shrestha, Biju (8 March 2019). "Apron construction of Pokhara Int'l airport completes; 30% physical progress accomplished". Aviation Nepal. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
- ^ . web.archive.org. 11 December 2022. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
- ^ "Flight Plan 2020 : Airport Construction and Renovation in Full Swing". New Business Age. 9 October 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ Parajuli, John Narayan (31 December 2018). "Gandaki's airport bet". The Annapurna Express. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ Prasain, Sangam. "Pokhara's new international airport to be equipped with wide area multilateration". The Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ "New Pokhara International Airport in Nepal Ready for Operation". en.sasac.gov.cn. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ Rai, Pinkey (15 May 2019). "Buddha Air to build hangar in Pokhara". Aviation Nepal. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
- ^ Shrestha, Hari Prasad. "Nepal's 2nd Int'l Airport Ready for Opening Amid Air Route Issues with India". My Republica. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
- ^ . 4 January 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
- ^ . 4 January 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
- ^ . South Asia Journal. 4 January 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
- ^ . New Business Age. 17 May 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
- ^ (PDF). 4 January 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
- ^ . The Statesman. 21 October 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
- ^ "Nepal's Buddha Air eyes decision on narrowbody jets in 4Q18". CH-Aviation. 6 February 2018. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
- ^ "Tourism entrepreneurs seek direct flights from Pokhara to Dhaka to bring in more Bangladeshi tourists". República. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
- ^ Singh, Chirag (20 November 2022). "Buddha Air to fly Banaras, Delhi, and Dehradun from Pokhara". Aviation Nepal. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "Domestic flights to start at Pokhara Regional International Airport from Jan 1, international flights unlikely for time being". Online Khabar. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
- ^ a b c d e "पोखरा अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय विमानस्थलबाट नियमित उडान गर्न तीन कम्पनीले स्वीकृति पाए, डेमोको तयारी". Bizmandu (in Nepali). Retrieved 21 December 2022.
- ^ "Airlines companies begin preparation to conduct int'l flight from Pokhara int'l airport". República. 10 December 2022. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ^ https://news.abplive.com/news/world/nepal-airport-plane-crash-72-seater-passenger-aircraft-crashes-on-runway-at-pokhara-international-airport-in-nepal-1575778
External links
- Official website