Tribhuvan International Airport Begins 10-Hour Daily Closure for Five-Month Upgrade

Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) will undergo a 10-hour daily closure for the next five months as part of an extensive upgrade initiative by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). The closure, which began today, will last from 10:00 pm to 8:00 am each day, affecting TIA’s regular operating hours of 6:00 am to 2:00 am.

The Air Transport Capacity Enhancement Project, with an estimated cost of Rs. 15 billion, includes widening the southwest taxiway, expanding the international apron to the north, and enlarging the hangar apron to the east. According to Project Chief Dipendra Shrestha, the upgraded taxiway will run parallel to the airport’s main runway, improving operational safety and efficiency.

This closure follows previous upgrade projects: in 2077 BS, TIA's runway was extended to 3,300 meters, necessitating a 12-hour daily shutdown, and in 2075 BS, the runway was resurfaced, requiring 10-hour closures for about four months. In each instance, around 30% of flights were impacted.

Currently, TIA manages over 200 domestic and 100 international flights each day. With this new upgrade, TIA aims to enhance both capacity and safety standards, ensuring it continues to serve as a key international gateway alongside Nepal’s other airports in Lumbini and Pokhara.