Wikipedia

Pokhara International Airport

This article is about the international airport in Pokhara, Nepal. For the domestic airport in Pokhara, see Pokhara Airport.

Pokhara International Airport (Nepali: पोखरा अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय विमानस्थल) (IATA: PHH, 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,[3] with STOL-operations to Jomsom still being operated from the old airport.[4] The airport is expected to handle up to one million passengers per year,[5] but as of 2024 there have not been any regular international flights.

Pokhara International Airport

पोखरा अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय विमानस्थल
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerGovernment of Nepal
OperatorCivil Aviation Authority of Nepal
ServesPokhara
LocationPokhara, Gandaki Province, Nepal
Opened1 January 2023; 23 months ago (2023-01-01)[2][3]
Elevation AMSL2,625 ft / 800 m
Coordinates28°11′23″N 84°00′54″E / 28.189690°N 84.014893°E / 28.189690; 84.014893
Websitepia.caanepal.gov.np
Map
Pokhara International Airport is located in Gandaki Province
Pokhara International Airport
Pokhara International Airport
Location within Gandaki Pradesh
Pokhara International Airport is located in Nepal
Pokhara International Airport
Pokhara International Airport
Pokhara International Airport (Nepal)
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
12/30 8,202 2,500 Concrete

History

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The idea of constructing an international airport in Pokhara was first proposed in 1971.[6] In 1976, the Government of Nepal acquired land for the project.[7] In 1989, the Japan International Cooperation Agency conducted a feasibility study.[8] However, the project stalled and was only reinstated in 2009 following a new air travel agreement between India and Nepal.[9]

In 2013, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal signed an agreement with China CAMC Engineering for the construction of the airport. Construction began in April 2016 and was expected to be completed after five years in 2021, with an estimated cost of around US$305 million.[5]The Export-Import Bank of China provided approximately US$215 million as a preferential loan to Nepal which included subsidizing part of the loan interest. Additionally, the Asian Development Bank contributed US$37 million in loans and grants while the OPEC Fund for International Development provided a US$11 million loan.[10] The initial bid was nearly double Nepal's original projection, but the cost was later reduced by about 30 percent to US$216 million.[11]

In April 2016, then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli laid the foundation stone of the airport, aiming to commence operations on 10 July 2021.[12] In 2020, a proposal emerged to open both new international airports of Nepal, Pokhara and Gautam Buddha Airport, on the same day.[13] However, it was revealed in 2020 that the nearby Rithepani Hill, located at the eastern end of the runway, needed to be flattened to facilitate aircraft approach.[14] This decision faced severe protests from locals,[15] delaying the flattening work until late 2022.[16]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal, the construction deadline was extended until 2022. In October 2021, officials confirmed that the airport would open in two phases: domestic flights would begin in January 2022, followed by international flights in April 2022.[17]

In 2022, it was announced that calibration flights would begin in October 2022.[18] They would later take place in late November 2022.[19]

In mid-2022, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal pushed back the opening to December 2022 due to a lack of flight inspections.[20] On 8 August 2022, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal set the official opening date for 1 January 2023.[21]

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.[22] The first flight to arrive at the airport was a Buddha Air flight carrying the Prime Minister and his delegation.[23]

Development of the airport continued immediately after the opening with an initial lack of customs facilities[24] and a fuel depot — initially, fuel was being carried from the old Pokhara Airport on trucks.[25] The airport was also opened before it was certified for IFR flight, a contributing factor to the crash of Yeti Airlines Flight 691 only one month later.[citation needed]

In June 2023, the airport saw its first international flight before which it only handled domestic services.[26] The first international flight was a Sichuan Airlines flight from China in an Airbus A319.[11] The flight was chartered and funded by China, and the passengers were Chinese athletes and officials who came for a good-will dragon-boat race.[27]

Controversy

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In October 2023, the airport's construction was the subject of an investigation by The New York Times. The newspaper found that the airport's construction costs were deliberately inflated; and that was completed without several items that are typically required in building a new airport (such as taking local rainfall and soil conditions into account, which can leave it vulnerable to flooding). One consultant, originally hired to ensure the airport's construction adhered to international standards, estimated that Nepal's lack of oversight over the project led to it being charged at least double the market rate.[11]

Nepal must still repay the loan it took out from China to build the airport, and they may not be able to pay it out of revenue generated by the airport, which has no regularly scheduled international flights as of 2023. As a result, The New York Times noted that the airport may become a debt trap, a problem shared by several other projects completed under China's Belt and Road Initiative.[11] The Times of India compared the airport to Pakistan's Gwadar Port, on which $10 billion in Chinese loans remain outstanding even while investment and activity at the port has stagnated (as of 2023).[28]

In November 2023, Nepal's Commission for the Investigation of Abuse and Authority, an anti-corruption agency, announced that it had opened an investigation into the airport's construction.[29]

Facilities

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The airport is built to the category 4D standard, set by the ICAO, IATA, and FAA.[30][importance?]

 
The map of Pokhara International Airport with its facilities labelled.

Apron

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The apron of the airport can handle up to three narrowbody aircraft with two aerobridges,[31] 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

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The airport has a single 2,500 m (8,202 ft 1 in) long runway with a width of 45 metres (147 ft 8 in). It has an east–west orientation with a 330-metre (1,082 ft 8 in) runway strip.[32] 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 6 in) wide) is built from the runway central line on the north side parallel to the runway.[32] The airside infrastructure works also includes two 182.5-by-23-metre (598 ft 9 in × 75 ft 6 in) exit taxiways, access roads, and aerodrome pavement.[33] The runway is capable of handling aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and the Boeing 737.[34] 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.[35]

Aids to navigation

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The airport's terminal during construction

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).[36] 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.[37] The ATC tower also supports Wide area multilateration (WAM) based surveillance system, the first of its kind in Nepal.[38]

High intensity 870 metres (2,854 ft 4 in) 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.[39]

 
The airport during construction, seen from the apron side

ILS system is said to be operational only after 26 Feb 2023.[40]

Terminals

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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.[30] 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

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Buddha Air plans on constructing a hangar that can accommodate aircraft up to the size of an Airbus A319.[41] The airport will also feature a 6,000-square-metre (65,000 sq ft) domestic and international hangar.[citation needed]

Air routes

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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.[42][43][44][45][46] Nepal has also proposed Himalaya 1, 2 and 3 air routes[clarification needed]. These have not been implemented yet.[47][48][importance?]

Airlines and destinations

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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.[49] In mid-2021, Biman Bangladesh Airlines was the first international carrier to plan to serve the airport upon opening.[50] The first Nepali Airline, Buddha Air, revealed plans in late 2022 to make Varanasi, in the Indian state of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, the first destination from the airport.[51]

AirlinesDestinations
Buddha AirBhadrapur, Bharatpur, Biratnagar, Janakpur, Jitpursimara, Kathmandu, Nepalgunj, Siddharthanagar[52][53][54]
Guna Airlines Kathmandu[52][53]
Saurya Airlines Kathmandu[52][53]
Shree AirlinesKathmandu[52][53]
Sita Air Kathmandu[citation needed]
Yeti Airlines Kathmandu[52][53]

The helicopter operators Air Dynasty, Prabhu Helicopter and Simrik Air offer helicopter operations out of their respective hubs at Pokhara International Airport.[citation needed]

Future Destinations

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Air Astra, a privately owned Bangladeshi passenger airline based at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, has planned to operate to Pokhara, Nepal four times a week from coming winter schedule 2024, followed by Indian routes.[55][56]

Access

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The airport is linked by an access road with the Prithvi Highway. Buses also connect the airport with Pokhara's city centre.[citation needed]

Incidents and accidents

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Main article: Yeti Airlines Flight 691
  • 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, but there were no survivors.[57] On approach, the pilots elected to approach the airport from the opposite direction but due to high workload failed to detect that the propellors were feathered instead of lowering the flaps. The plane lost power and speed and stalled hitting terrain.[58][59]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "PIA". Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  2. ^ "Nepal: Pokhara International Airport Commences its Operation". News18. 3 January 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Pokhara takes off". Nepali Times. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ a b "New Pokhara International Airport". CAPA Centre for Aviation. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  6. ^ Prasain, Sangam (20 March 2022). "Technical tests at Pokhara's new airport slated to begin in April". The Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
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  8. ^ Poudel, Ramesh (4 May 2012). "Finally, a new airport?". Nepali Times. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  9. ^ "International Pokhara". Nepali Times. 30 October 2009. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  10. ^ "Nepal's second international airport nearly complete, ready for takeoff: ADB". The Himalayan Times. 27 March 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  11. ^ a b c d Wakabayashi, Daisuke; Sharma, Bhadra; Fu, Claire (16 October 2023). "China Got a Big Contract. Nepal Got Debt and a Pricey Airport". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  12. ^ "Pokhara International Airport handed over to Nepal". República. 27 March 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  13. ^ Gautam, Santosh (19 November 2020). "Bhairahawa and Pokhara Airport to inaugurate on same day". Aviation Nepal. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  14. ^ Pokhrel, Diwas (16 December 2020). "Rithepani hill to cut down for Pokhara International Airport". Aviation Nepal. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  15. ^ Baral, Krishnamani (21 March 2021). "Cabinet indecision delays Pokhara Airport". Nepali Times. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
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  20. ^ Prasain, Sangnam (14 July 2022). "Pokhara airport opening delayed again to December". The Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
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  25. ^ Poudel, Dilip (8 January 2023). "Aviation fuel depot in Pokhara with an investment of Rs 680 million". República. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
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  27. ^ "Debt hole: China-built Pokhara international airport may become Nepal's Gwadar Port". The Times of India. 16 October 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
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  29. ^ Wakabayashi, Daisuke; Sharma, Bhadra; Fu, Claire (12 November 2023). "Nepal Is Investigating New Airport Made by China". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
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  33. ^ Bhatt, Ramesh P. (January 2015). Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of New Pokhara Regional International Airport. Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).
  34. ^ Shrestha, Biju (8 March 2019). "Apron construction of Pokhara Int'l airport completes; 30% physical progress accomplished". Aviation Nepal. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  35. ^ "Airlines companies begin preparation to conduct int'l flight from Pokhara int'l airport - myRepublica - The New York Times Partner, Latest news of Nepal in English, Latest News Articles". 11 December 2022. Archived from the original on 11 December 2022. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
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  38. ^ Prasain, Sangam. "Pokhara's new international airport to be equipped with wide area multilateration". The Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
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  42. ^ Shrestha, Hari Prasad. "Nepal's 2nd Int'l Airport Ready for Opening Amid Air Route Issues with India". My Republica. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
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  46. ^ "PM Deuba Requests India to Provide Additional Air Routes". New Business Age. 17 May 2022. Archived from the original on 17 May 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  47. ^ "Implementation of Himalaya 2 Route" (PDF). 4 January 2023. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 January 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
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  49. ^ "Nepal's Buddha Air eyes decision on narrowbody jets in 4Q18". CH-Aviation. 6 February 2018. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  50. ^ "Tourism entrepreneurs seek direct flights from Pokhara to Dhaka to bring in more Bangladeshi tourists". República. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  51. ^ Singh, Chirag (20 November 2022). "Buddha Air to fly Banaras, Delhi, and Dehradun from Pokhara". Aviation Nepal. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  52. ^ 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. 21 December 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  53. ^ a b c d e "पोखरा अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय विमानस्थलबाट नियमित उडान गर्न तीन कम्पनीले स्वीकृति पाए, डेमोको तयारी". Bizmandu (in Nepali). 20 December 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  54. ^ "Airlines companies begin preparation to conduct int'l flight from Pokhara int'l airport". República. 10 December 2022. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  55. ^ "Bangladesh's Air Astra eyes int'l flights". Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  56. ^ "पोखरा अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय विमानस्थल: बाङ्ग्लादेशी निजी वायुसेवा कम्पनीले गर्‍यो नियमित उडानको प्रस्ताव". BBC News नेपाली (in Nepali). 14 June 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  57. ^ "At Least 29 Dead in Nepal as Passenger Plane with 72 Persons Onboard Crashes at Pokhara Airport". 15 January 2023.
  58. ^ Yong, Nicholas (29 December 2023). "Nepal plane crash caused by pilots mistakenly cutting power, says report". BBC. Singapore. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  59. ^ "ATR 72-500 (72-212A) Sunday 15 January 2023". Aviation Safety Network. Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
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