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BHAIRAHAWA,NEPAL: Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) in Bhairahawa is set to resume regular international operations after nearly six months, with Thai AirAsia scheduled to begin two weekly flights between Bhairahawa and Thailand starting October 12, 2025 (Ashoj 26). The move marks a significant revival for Nepal’s second international airport, which had seen only limited charter operations in recent months.
According to Pratap Babu Tiwari, General Manager of the airport, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has already granted permission for Thai AirAsia to operate the twice-weekly service. “Thai AirAsia has received approval to start two flights a week from Ashoj 26,” Tiwari confirmed. “Other carriers, including Jazeera Airways, are also preparing to resume operations, with Jazeera expected to begin flights after the Tihar festival.”
During maintenance work at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) last April, four foreign airlines temporarily operated from Bhairahawa, handling up to 20 weekly flights for about a month. However, since then, regular international operations had ceased, leaving only a handful of charter services in place.
Formally inaugurated on May 16, 2022 (Jestha 2, 2079), during the 2566th Buddha Jayanti, Gautam Buddha International Airport initially hosted commercial flights from Nepal Airlines, Fly Dubai, Jazeera Airways, Thai AirAsia, and Himalaya Airlines. Despite its promising start, the airport struggled to maintain regular operations due to limited passenger traffic and airline withdrawals.
Local tourism and hospitality businesses have been hit hard by the prolonged suspension of international flights. Netra Acharya, President of the Siddhartha Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that private investors had poured nearly NPR 100 billion into the Bhairahawa area anticipating consistent airport operations. “Many entrepreneurs are now facing financial crises, unable to repay loans or interest,” Acharya said. “Some have already sold their star-rated hotels, while others have halted construction midway.”
The restart of scheduled international flights is expected to revive business confidence and tourism in the Lumbini region, with local stakeholders hopeful that sustained operations will finally help GBIA achieve the purpose it was built for—to serve as Nepal’s international gateway to the birthplace of the Buddha.
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