Kathmandu – Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) will be closed for 10 hours daily for around five months starting today. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) is implementing this closure from 10 PM to 8 AM to facilitate extensive expansion and improvement work at the airport.

According to CAAN, the Air Transport Capacity Enhancement Project will construct a parallel taxiway on the southwest side, expand the international apron to the north, and extend the hangar apron to the east. This project is expected to cost approximately NPR 15 billion.

Director General Pradip Adhikari stated that the new parallel taxiway alongside the runway will increase runway capacity by 20-25%, enhancing air traffic management efficiency.

During this upgrade period, flights between 10 PM and 8 AM will be suspended, though the airport typically operates from 6 AM to 2 AM. Project Manager Dipendra Shrestha clarified that this closure is to ensure safety during construction.

CAAN has requested domestic and international airlines to utilize Gautam Buddha and Pokhara International Airports to manage air traffic during TIA’s closure hours. Additionally, airlines are advised to comply with fare regulations as stipulated by law.

Currently, three international airports operate in Nepal: Tribhuvan, Gautam Buddha, and Pokhara International Airports. At TIA, 19 airlines (including 11 helicopter companies) operate domestic flights, while 30 airlines (including three Nepalese) operate international flights, with around 300 domestic and 100 international flights per day.

Previous Expansions and Maintenance

TIA, Nepal’s oldest international airport, has undergone multiple upgrades over the years. In 2020, its runway was expanded to 3,300 meters, necessitating a 12-hour closure each night. Similarly, in 2018, the airport closed daily for 10 hours over four months to complete runway maintenance, reducing flight capacity by around 30% during that period.