NEPAL TRAVELLER
Gautam Budhha Airport, also known as Bhairahawa airport serves Siddharthanagar in Nepal especially Lumbini the famous birth place of Lord Buddha. The airport is being upgraded according to international standards and soon the airport will start international operations by 2021.
It is located 2 km away from Bhairahawa which is the second largest trading area after Birgunj. The city is among the major industrial power houses in the country impacting major economic aspects of Nepal. It has the second largest rate of border trade with India after Birgunj in the country.
Operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, this Nepal airport offers regular connections to Kathmandu.
History
The airport was established in 1958 by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal and has been operating under it since then. Although the current name was first used in 1977 many still refer to it as Bhairahawa airport.
The airport is being upgraded as an international airport to reduce the air traffic at Kathmandu’s TIA. It will have a 3,000 meters (9,843 ft) runway and 16 international parking bays.
Airlines and Destinations
Major domestic airlines of Nepal operate daily flights to Bhairahawa. Buddha Air and Yeti Airlines have daily and direct flights from Kathmandu and Pokhara to Bhairahawa. Other airlines like Nepal Airlines, Saurya Airlines, Shree Airlines, and Simrik Airlines operate direct flights from Kathmandu to Bhairawaha. The IATA and ICAO codes for Bhairahawa Airport are BWA and VNBW respectively.
Constructed at an elevation of around 358 ft above sea level, the airport has just one runway. Terminals are built and the runway is paved so that it can handle large aircraft.
It is the gateway to the religious and historical sites of Nepal like Lumbini and connects to another popular city of Nepal, Butwal.
Compiled by Rina Kumari Mandal
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