Biratnagar Airport

History

Biratnagar Airport commenced operations on 6 July 1958.

On 15 August 2017, during the August 2017 Nepal and India floods the runway of Biratnagar Airport was flooded, along with other parts of India and Nepal, and the airport was forced to suspend its operations.

In 2019, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal decided to upgrade the Biratnagar Airport to an international level, which includes lengthening the runway. In 2022, locals demonstrated, as they still were not compensated for the land that the Government was purchasing to expand the airport area.

Facilities

The airport is located at an elevation of 236 ft above mean sea level. It has one runway designated 09/27 with an asphalt surface measuring 1775 x. The airport is one of the few airports in Nepal that has its own aviation fuel depot on site, enabling aircraft to refuel here during turnover periods.

Airlines and destinations

|Buddha Air|Kathmandu, Pokhara–International, Tumlingtar |Saurya Airlines|Kathmandu, Siddharthanagar |Shree Airlines|Kathmandu |Yeti Airlines|Kathmandu

Statistics

Accidents and incidents

• 10 June 1973(2030 jestha 28) – 1973 Nepal plane hijack: A Royal Nepal Airlines flight from Biratnagar to Kathmandu, operated by a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter (9N-ABB), was taken over by three hijackers of the Nepali Congress party who demanded money and escaped after landing in Bihar, India. None of the three crew and 18 passengers were injured.
• 18 November 1981, a Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter) of Royal Nepal Airlines cashed after initial climb after it lost height. The fatalities included 1 crew and 9 passengers.
• In October 2021, the airport closed for four days due to flooding of runway by torrential rainfall.

References

References

1. {{usurped
2. {{GCM. BIR. Biratnagar, Nepal (VNVT / BIR)
3. "Biratnagar Airport". Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.
4. (6 October 2020). "Biratnagar airport to be upgraded to international standard". The Himalayan Times.
5. "Biratnagar Airport". Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.
6. (15 August 2017). "Biratnagar Airport shut down". The Himalayan Times.
7. (24 November 2020). "विराटनगर विमानस्थललाई 'अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय स्तर' को बनाइने". Kantipur Media Group.
8. (14 June 2022). "Locals affected by Biratnagar Airport expansion project protest". The Kathmandu Post.
9. (5 March 2018). "Majority of airports in Nepal lack fuel depot facility". Aviation Nepal.
10. Pokharel, Santosh. "Flights to and from Pokhara Airport affected as fuel tanker overturns near runway".
11. Republica. "Saurya Airlines to start Biratnagar-Bhairahawa direct flight service".
12. (29 November 2017). "Domestic Flights in Nepal, Kathmandu to Biratanagar (Yeti Airlines)".
13. link. (2 March 2014 ". Retrieved 18 November 2006.)
14. "Crash of a Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter in Biratnagar: 10 killed {{!}} Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives".
15. "विराटनगर विमानस्थल आजदेखि खुल्ने, बेलुका ५ बजेपछि उडान नहुने". Setopati.
16. "Torrential rainfall inundates Biratnagar Airport". Nepal Press.