CAAN has completed the construction of a helipad in Nalinchowk, Bhaktapur. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) initiated the work for this helipad by allocating a budget of NRs. 25 crores in the fiscal year 2079/80.
The fieldwork for the helipad has been completed, and test flights have also been conducted, according to Suvas Jha, the spokesperson for Tribhuvan International Airport. He mentioned that the construction of the helipad has been completed along with the test flights.
After the report on the test flights, he provided information about the opening of commercial flights from here. He also stated that the construction of the terminal building, towers, and other structures is underway.
The authority had allocated NRs. 15 crores for the heliport and NRs.10 crores for the construction, including the terminal building. The contract for constructing this helipad was awarded last fiscal year in Shrawan.
According to the spokesperson, this helipad has the capacity to accommodate up to 26 helicopters at a time. Currently, there are around three dozen helicopters operating in Nepal, most of them only functioning within Kathmandu. However, during the tourist season, helicopters also fly more frequently to Lukla, Simikot, and Pokhara.
Helicopters are being utilized in Nepal for various purposes such as facilitating tourists, VVIP flights, emergency health services, natural disasters, and transporting construction materials for development.
The authority had previously disclosed plans for constructing facilities, including fuel tanks, fire fighting services, helicopter company offices, and hangars, in the 33-acre area of Nalinchowk, Suryabinayak Municipality, Bhaktapur. This was the land owned by the authority from before, and the heliport was constructed on this very plot.
Expectation of reducing congestion at Tribhuvan International Airport
The intention behind constructing the helipad in Nalinchowk, Bhaktapur, was to reduce congestion related to flights and communication equipment at Tribhuvan International Airport. After its operation, passengers would also be able to easily board helicopters from the same location.
This initiative is expected to assist to some extent in reducing the congestion in Kathmandu. However, the traffic management here is controlled by the tower of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). Despite employing staff specifically for the heliport and preparing for its operation through the same communication network, the pressure on the communication system is inevitable.
What do the business people say?
According to Raju Neupane, Secretary of the Air Operators Association and Safety Manager of Manang Air, it is easier to operate helicopters compared to airplanes at airports. Currently, within Tribhuvan International Airport, there are both large and small aircraft alongside helicopters. He mentioned that based on the report of the test flights in Nalinchowk and the directives given by the authority, companies are also prepared for relocation.
