GULMI: Regular flights from Resunga airport have remained suspended for the past three months due to unfavorable weather conditions.
The onset of the monsoon season, characterized by thick morning fog and poor visibility, has disrupted air operations at the facility.
Suman Thapa, station chief of Nepal Airlines at Resunga airport, stated that flights have been affected since June 7 due to persistent adverse weather during morning hours. Historically, the airport faces flight disruptions for approximately three months every year during the monsoon period.
To accommodate passenger demand, Nepal Airlines operates flights on the Resunga-Kathmandu route three days a week: Saturdays, Sundays, and Thursdays. Under the current schedule, flights are slated to depart from Kathmandu at 6:30 a.m. and from Resunga at 7:45 a.m. Thapa noted that regular services will resume once weather conditions improve.
The current airfare is set at Rs 10,510 for a flight from Gulmi to Kathmandu and Rs 10,710 for the return trip. Authorities noted that passenger numbers have declined due to rising airfares, driven by increased aviation fuel costs. Furthermore, improvements in road connectivity between Tamghas and Kathmandu, along with the availability of better public transport, have also led to a reduction in the number of air travelers. Despite these challenges, the airport remains a vital link connecting the district to Kathmandu and supporting the influx of domestic and international tourists to religious and historical sites in Gulmi.
