Mahendranagar Airport Set to Resume Flights After 28 Years, Runway Expansion Underway

Dhangadhi: Mahendranagar Airport, located near Nepal’s western border, is set to resume operations after about 28 years.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAN) is planning to bring the airport into operation by allocating funds in the current fiscal year’s budget.

An all-party discussion was held at the Speaker’s office on July 25 with the active participation of Kanchanpur-3 MP Gyanendra Singh Mahata and coordination of Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal.

Following the discussion, a team including Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadak Raj Poudel and CAN Director General Mukesh Dangol monitored Mahendranagar and Tikapur airports on July 25 and 26.

After the monitoring, it was decided to proceed with the operation of Mahendranagar Airport while putting Tikapur Airport on hold, said CAN Deputy Director General Premnath Thakur.

“A lot of work has already been done to operate Mahendranagar Airport. We are in favor of putting it into operation in the current fiscal year’s budget,” Thakur said.

Speaker Aryal had also directed the concerned authorities to make a clear decision on whether the project could be delayed for a long time.

The airport’s runway, which was used only by Twin Otters until 2055 BS, is currently 1,450 meters long. The remaining 75 meters are being expanded. Once the runway reaches a total length of 1,525 meters, ATR aircraft with up to 72 seats will be able to operate. In aviation terminology, it will be a 3-C category airport.

Runway improvements, repairs to the terminal building, removal of the fence and the three-phase line of the Electricity Authority are required. The playground and some trees inside Shuklaphanta Park will also have to be removed. Forest Minister Geeta Chaudhary has pledged to provide the necessary support.

According to CAN, operating Tikapur Airport requires significant investment and land acquisition, so the plan has been put on hold for now. Currently, locals and Indian tourists from Kanchanpur have to travel 63 km by road for one and a half hours to reach Dhangadhi Airport before flying to Kathmandu.

CAN claims that after Mahendranagar Airport comes into operation, travel to India will become easier and cheaper, as air travel between Kathmandu and Mahendranagar followed by a road journey can reach Delhi in six hours. This is expected to increase tourism among Indian tourists and boost visits to Shuklaphanta National Park.

According to the cost-sharing agreement reached in 2077 BS, CAN will bear 50 percent of the cost, the provincial government 25 percent, Bhimdatta Municipality 15 percent and Dodhara Chandani Municipality 10 percent.