September 25: The government has decided to hold discussions with India again regarding the air entry routes from Mahendranagar and Nepalgunj. Discussions on these two routes have been held several times before. However, the two countries are yet to reach an understanding.

The government has decided to initiate talks with India at the diplomatic level this time. With the construction of Gautam Buddha International Airport and Pokhara Regional Airport infnal stages, these routes are vital for Nepal’s aviation sector. According to Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, the airway distance to Nepal from India and beyond will be shorter from these two routes.

During a recent agreement with India, the two countries had decided to conduct a feasibility study by September to allow air entry routes to Nepal from Mahendranagar and Nepalgunj. The new routes will allow international aircraft flying at high altitude to enter Nepal and land on Gautam Buddha Int’l Airport, Pokhara Regional Airport and Nijgadh International Airport.

However, due to India’s reluctance, the work has not yet been able to progress. An official of CAAN informed New Business Age that India is reluctant to grant permission along these two routes citing security concerns.

The government aims to complete the construction of Gautam Buddha International Airport by December this year and Pokhara Regional Airport by 2020.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai has said that they will hold discussions with India again as the entry points from Nepalgunj and Mahendranagar are vital to reduce the flight distance for international flights.

“Discussions regarding this issue have been held before. We will continue with the discussions as our airports are getting ready, and these routes are technically and economically important for Nepal,” he said.

On June 15, 2018,  India had agreed to allow new air entry routes to Nepal for international flights. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) and Airports Authority of India (AAI) had signed a bilateral agreement on international air route to Nepal back then to allow international flights to enter Nepal through Janakpur and Biratnagar entry points.

Prior to this, international flights from India could enter Nepal's air space only from Simara.