Nepal requests airlines to “slim down” if they want to land in Kathmandu

KATHMANDU - Nepal has only one intercontinental Airport, Kathmandu Tribuvan International Airport  (TIA).  Over the years –and particularly since 2007, where half a dozen airlines added Kathmandu to their network, passengers traffic and air movements have been booming. For 2011, the last reference year with official data from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, total passengers’ arrivals broke a new record at 4.28 million with total international arrivals reaching 2.7 million. Air movements reached also a new record at 102,000. But now authorities seem increasingly worried that the runway might not be able to accept heavy aircraft as it would only accelerate its deteriorated condition. TIA runway is in urgent need to be resurfaced before the peak tourist season starts, normally at the end of Septembre.
However, as nothing – or very little- has been moving at the airport since 2011, following the agreement of the Asia Development Bank to provide a loan to the civil aviation to modernize the airport, they are no solutions than starting to limit the weight of aircraft.
Early last week , the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has recommended international airline operators to limit takeoff and landing weight of wide-body aircraft to 196 tonnes till September 30. The move is likely to affect most airlines flying wide-body aircraft. For example, Thai Airways and Korean Air generally fly with aircraft in the range of 260 tons. The weight limit is not compulsory but the CAAN already announced that it would process with the recommendations of a report by a Spanish Consultancy company. The Himalaya n Times, one of Nepal largest English news services and article reported that the Ministry of Civil Aviation indicated that -“It will implement the recommendations made in the report and will not compromise on anything.” The report is due to be released by September 30.
According to Shrawan Kumar Rana, the director of Jaya Travels agency in Kathmandu, who spoke to the Himlayan Times, the impact on the airprot’s activity will certainly be felt. "This is going to have a major impact on the airlines' business," he said "Turkish Airlines is heavily booked and is struggling to deal with cancellations."
Cracks and potholes caused disruptions to flights in the middle of August. It was due to another crack in the runway. "Our government needs to work promptly at speeding up the repair work even if they have to close down the airport for two days," said Mr Rana. However, slow decisions are generally the norm for Nepal. And this could be fatal to the economy of the country.

Sourced: TravelDailyNews