Bhairahawa: Thai airline AirAsia has conducted a test flight to Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa, marking a significant step toward the resumption of international flights from this airport. Local residents are excited about the anticipated launch of regular international services after a long wait.
Starting from November 8, AirAsia will operate two scheduled commercial flights per week. The test flight, which included a crew of seven, landed at Gautam Buddha International Airport at 7:00 AM on Sunday. The aircraft was greeted with a water salute upon its arrival.
After a brief stay, the plane departed Bhairahawa at 7:40 AM, heading for Bangkok. According to Binod Singh Raut, the airport’s information officer, the flight schedule is set to follow this timeline.
The next flight is scheduled to arrive on November 8, and thereafter, from November 10, the airline will operate flights on Mondays and Thursdays at 12:15 PM, departing for Bangkok shortly after landing.
The arrival of the Thai AirAsia flight was welcomed by airport staff, security personnel, immigration officers, and local tourism business representatives. The airline received permission to operate from Bhairahawa just days prior to the test flight, indicating its commitment to serving this route and the Kathmandu route as well.
The one-way introductory fare for flights from Bhairahawa to Bangkok is set at 12,000 rupees.
More Airlines to join
In addition to AirAsia, FlyDubai from the United Arab Emirates and Jazeera Airways from Kuwait are also set to commence flights from Bhairahawa. FlyDubai will begin daily operations starting November 9, while Jazeera Airways will offer three weekly flights starting November 10.
According to Raut, FlyDubai will land in Bhairahawa daily at 1:45 PM, and the aircraft will depart for Kathmandu before continuing to Dubai at 2:45 PM. Meanwhile, Jazeera Airways will resume operations, previously provided at Gautam Buddha International Airport, with flights arriving on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 7:30 AM, before departing for Kuwait at 8:30 AM.
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