TIA Shutdown Looms Over Nepal’s Tourism Boom

3 months ago Editor

Tribhuvan International Airport’s impending 10-hour daily closure for runway upgrades from November 8 raises alarms among tourism stakeholders, threatening to disrupt the peak tourist season and escalate airfares during a crucial recovery phase for the industry.

Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) is set to undergo significant upgrades, resulting in a daily closure from 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM starting November 8. This decision has sparked widespread concern among tourism entrepreneurs, as it coincides with Nepal’s peak tourist season. Many in the industry fear that the extended closure will hinder recovery efforts post-COVID, with anticipated higher airfares and potential flight delays likely to frustrate international travelers.

Kumarmani Thapaliya, chairperson of the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), voiced strong objections, stating that increased demand paired with reduced supply during the peak season will likely inflate ticket prices dramatically. For instance, he cited that last-minute buyers could see costs for popular routes like Kathmandu to Lhasa skyrocket from $500 to $1,500, which may be unaffordable for many visitors.

Concerns were echoed by Suresh Singh Budal, chief executive of PATA Nepal Chapter, who warned that the reduced number of available flights could further inflate airfares. “Air tickets to and from Nepal are already high, and this situation will exacerbate costs, impacting both tourism and the Nepali diaspora traveling home for celebrations like Dashain and Tihar,” he said.

However, Gyanendra Bhul, Information Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), defended the closure, stating that airlines had been informed about the impending changes four months in advance, allowing time for operational adjustments. The new winter schedule, effective October 27, will see a drastic reduction of 30% to 50% in international flights at TIA, cutting operational hours from 21 to just 14 daily.

Bhul explained that the capacity for instrument flight rules (IFR) is limited to eight flights per hour, with significant reductions for airlines operating multiple flights daily. As TIA often experiences air traffic congestion, adjustments to flight schedules could lead to prolonged delays.

To alleviate traffic, CAAN has recommended that airlines consider transferring some flights to Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) and Pokhara Regional International Airport (PRIA). Despite these recommendations, many airlines have refrained from making such shifts, citing business viability concerns.

Tourism entrepreneurs have urged the government to reconsider the closure, with Thapaliya suggesting a delay of 15 days or prioritizing international flights at TIA while relocating domestic routes to GBIA and PRIA. Budal proposed better management of nighttime schedules, recommending a closure from midnight to 9:00 AM, which is often affected by winter fog.

Despite these pressing concerns, Bhul confirmed that the upgrade contract for TIA is already in place, and delaying the project could result in financial penalties.