KATHMANDU: Flights at Suketar Airport in Taplejung have remained suspended for the past three months, leaving passengers without air service.
The airport has not seen any flights since May 22 due to adverse weather conditions and a lack of passengers.
Narayan Kumar Karki, station in-charge for Nepal Airlines Corporation in Taplejung, stated that heavy rain, thick fog and mist since June have consistently hampered flight operations. With weather conditions beginning to improve in the third week of August, preparations are underway to resume services.
While flights typically operate three days a week-Monday, Wednesday and Friday-the airline has scheduled only one flight per week on Mondays for September.
The flight scheduled for last Monday was cancelled due to a lack of passengers. According to the corporation, there are currently six passengers booked to fly from Kathmandu to Taplejung and four passengers from Taplejung to Kathmandu for the upcoming Monday. Karki confirmed that the flight will proceed as planned if the weather remains favorable.
Local business owners and travelers have expressed concern over the continued suspension of flights, especially with the Dashain and Tihar festivals approaching and the tourist season beginning.
Bimal Bhandari, a local hotelier in Phungling, urged the authorities to resume regular flights, noting that there would be no shortage of passengers if services were consistent. Nepal Airlines Corporation is the only carrier operating the Kathmandu-Taplejung route using a Twin Otter aircraft.
Located at an altitude of approximately 2,400 meters, the airport is frequently covered by thick fog during the monsoon season, preventing private airlines from conducting commercial flights.
