Why is Tribhuvan International Airport Closed for 10 Hours Daily? Flight Cancellation, Surge in Airfare and Other Concerns for Nepal’s Tourism and Bus

Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), the major and mostly used international airport of Nepal, will be closed for 10 hours daily. Yes, and the closure is scheduled to last for almost five months for now. Why is it being closed when most international airlines still prefer to use it when Nepal has two new international airports? Well, as you guessed it, it has gotten old and needs regular maintenance. And this maintenance initiative, effective from November 8, 2023, will last until March 31, 2024. Meaning the operations will be cut from 18 to just 14 hours per day. Even when it was running full time, flights were delayed due to air-traffic and now that it will only operate for a shorter window, just imagine how long you will have to wait before finally taking off to your destination. And you can call yourself lucky, if your flight isn’t canceled because many international flights have canceled their regular flights.?

By now, you must be wondering why these flights don’t shift to other international airports instead of canceling? Well, that's a long story but we’ve got you covered. You may read our recent posts on them:?

1. Gautam Buddha International Airport Is Struggling to Operate International Flights Even After 2 Years of Operation
2. Nepal’s Pokhara International Airport: Open for Business, But Zero International Flights?

And getting back to our coverage today, why is the maintenance taking so long? This time around, it’s not only the maintenance but also expansion of the airport's taxiways. But why now? Well, the timing and scale of the closure indeed have sparked apprehension about its impact on Nepal’s fragile economy. Oh and it’s peak tourism season too. Lack of planning, well, that seems to be the case pretty much. But, let’s not jump into a conclusion yet! Let's deep dive.

Key Facts and Figures

1. Daily Flight Impact: TIA is Nepal’s busiest international airport by far. Yes, even after the two other international airports were opened for business, very few international flights have shown interest. TIA previously operated from 6 AM to 2 AM but now it will close from 10 PM to 8 AM. With over 400 flights operating daily—300 domestic and 100 international—this closure impacts hundreds of flights weekly, causing cancellations and potential delays.
2. Projected Economic Losses: Economists and travel & tourism entrepreneurs estimate that the aviation and tourism sectors may lose at least Rs 50 billion during the maintenance period. The timing of this infrastructure project, which spans Nepal’s peak tourism season, adds further strain to the struggling economy.
3. Tourism and Business Disruptions: Ticket prices have surged as airlines scramble to reschedule flights within the new restricted hours, with prices rising fourfold on major routes. Many tourists, trekkers, and business travelers may reconsider plans, potentially leading to a 40% drop in trekking numbers and a revision in Nepal’s tourism forecast from 1.3 million arrivals to 1.1 million.
4. Airline Revenue Impact: Buddha Air, Nepal’s largest domestic carrier, has had to reduce its daily flights from 180 to 135, directly affecting its revenue. Domestic airlines have also raised concerns about unfair flight allocation under the revised schedule.
5. Long-Term Infrastructure Improvements: The planned upgrades include a 1,140-meter parallel taxiway at the runway's southern end, connecting the international apron, and another 450-meter taxiway at the northern end. Once completed, the expansion should increase TIA’s runway capacity to 42 aircraft movements per hour, up from the current 128,449 flights annually to a potential 187,000.

What are the Economic and Operational Consequences?

1. Impact on Tourism and Revenue Losses

Nepal’s tourism sector is a critical economic driver, especially during the fall and spring seasons when trekking and cultural tourism peak. The airport closure coincides with these periods, leaving businesses and tourism bodies concerned. According to Sagar Pandey, president of the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal, the plan will likely cost at least 40% of potential trekking tourism revenue. Tourism revenues not only support local businesses but also contribute significantly to Nepal’s GDP and tax base.

The Nepal Tourism Board has already revised its 2024 target, lowering tourist arrivals from 1.3 million to 1.1 million. The projected loss in tourism revenue comes at a time when international agencies, like the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, have issued growth forecasts dependent on robust tourism figures. This unanticipated decline could affect broader economic indicators, including local employment and regional development.

2. Aviation Industry Challenges

With restricted airport hours, international and domestic airlines face operational challenges. Ticket prices have surged due to the limited supply, a gap that affects both tourists and Nepal’s extensive workforce who travel internationally. Notably, labor routes—Nepal’s primary aviation market—have seen fares quadruple, complicating travel for Nepali workers heading to Gulf countries and Malaysia.

Domestic airlines are also struggling under the new arrangement, with reduced flight capacity and potential financial strain. Buddha Air has had to cut 45 flights daily, directly impacting its revenue. The loss of flight frequency impacts not only airline profits but also the government’s tax revenue, with fewer flights resulting in reduced tax income.

3. Alternate Airport Development Dilemma

While Tribhuvan International Airport’s improvements are overdue, stakeholders argue that the government could have leveraged alternatives at Bhairahawa’s Gautam Buddha International Airport and Pokhara Regional International Airport. However, both alternative airports face their own issues: airlines are hesitant to operate due to perceived logistical, technical, and financial challenges, including limited ground support and lower passenger demand.

Efforts to divert flights to Bhairahawa have faced resistance. Recent actions by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) illustrate tensions in enforcing this shift. For instance, CAAN briefly grounded a Thai AirAsia flight in October 2023, only permitting it to land on the condition that the airline considers operations from Bhairahawa as well.

4. Infrastructure and Economic Prospects

While the project’s completion promises improved capacity, easing congestion at TIA, the extended duration and planning of the construction have attracted criticism. Economist Bishwambhar Pyakurel has pointed out the lack of strategic foresight, calling the closure a restrictive measure that ignores less disruptive options. According to Pyakurel, the airport improvements—although necessary—should have been planned to minimize economic disruptions and preserve Nepal’s global tourism image.

In the long term, the expanded taxiways will allow TIA to handle more flights per hour, potentially increasing the airport’s yearly movement capacity from 128,449 to 187,000. However, immediate losses and the blow to Nepal’s image as a tourist destination may take time to recover, even as the infrastructure itself sees much-needed enhancements.

So, What Now?

The 10-hour daily closure of Tribhuvan International Airport over the next five months highlights the difficult balance between infrastructure development and economic stability. While these upgrades will increase the airport’s capacity and operational efficiency in the long term, the current disruptions threaten Nepal’s tourism and airline industries during a critical season.

Despite calls for a more phased construction approach, the government and CAAN have committed to this intensive maintenance period. The full economic impact remains to be seen, but with tourism forecasts revised downward and rising ticket prices deterring visitors, the immediate outlook for Nepal’s tourism sector and economy appears challenging. What do you think? Could this be planned better? Do let us know in the comments below.?