Kathmandu, Nov 8: Starting today, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu will undergo a daily 10-hour closure, lasting from 10:00 pm to 8:00 am, for the next five months. 

This shutdown is part of a comprehensive upgrade under the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal's (CAAN) Air Transport Capacity Enhancement Project, costing an estimated Rs 15 billion.

The upgrade will include the widening of the southwest taxiway, expansion of the international apron to the north, and development of the hangar apron to the east. According to Project Chief Dipendra Shrestha, a key part of the work involves expanding the taxiway to run parallel to TIA's runway, a change necessary for safety and efficiency improvements.

These renovations mark a significant step in modernizing TIA, Nepal’s oldest and busiest airport, operational for nearly 74 years. This will, however, affect TIA’s usual operating hours, previously running from 6:00 am to 2:00 am. The airport currently handles over 200 domestic and approximately 100 international flights daily.

Nepal now has three international airports, including Gautam Buddha International Airport in Lumbini and Pokhara International Airport. Both opened after TIA, with infrastructure improvements continuing to meet the increasing travel demands.

Historical precedent shows TIA's closure pattern for similar projects, as in 2077 BS when the runway was extended to 3,300 meters, necessitating a 12-hour closure over several months. A similar 10-hour closure occurred in 2075 BS for a full runway resurfacing, leading to a suspension of 30% of domestic and international flights.

The latest enhancements are expected to bolster TIA’s operational capacity and safety, catering to the growing volume of air traffic in Nepal.