There are three international and 52 domestic airports in Nepal. Out of which 20 are completely closed and 35 are operational. More than a dozen airports in remote locations are operating in name only. Suraj Kunwar of Kantipur had a conversation with Hansraj Pandey, Deputy Director General and Spokesperson of the Corporate Department of Nepal Civil Aviation Authority about the reasons why the closed airports are still not operational, whether such airports can be operated in a new model or not:

There are 55 listed airports in Nepal. Why are they not able to come into operation commercially?
There are 55 airports listed in Nepal including 52 domestic and three international. There are 41 small runways and 11 medium runways. Of these, 13 are unpaved runways, 28 are tarmac airports. 9 flights unfit runways and 13 non-operational . Due to such a situation, the number of ships in domestic flights is less. If there were enough ships in Nepal, all the airports could be operational. 

Nepal Civil Aviation Authority can not increase the number of ships ? 
The authority is an agency that provides technical assistance to the government regarding airport construction and other flights. To increase the number of ships  Airline companies should be leading. Either the government should increase the number of ships under social responsibility in the state-invested Nepal Airlines Corporation. 

Can the closed airport be operated in any other model ? 
Local or state governments can also play a role in the operation of the airport. Like: In Kanchanpur local government and state is involved in reconstruction . But according to the standards issued by the International Aviation Organization (ICAO), European Union and other specialized bodies, local governments and state governments cannot provide technical assistance. Authorization is required for that. 

The local government is announcing that the ATC will be staffed and trained, how possible is this? 
This is for a while . Like: Now it is happening in Tikapur of Kailali . If the demand increases, if the profit is seen, then if the private airline ensures the flight schedule, then the authority should provide technical assistance in matters such as air traffic service, fire, light, runway etc. . We can deploy skilled technicians, ATC at such potential airports . 

How is commercial flight possible in an airport like Tikapur by carrying employees and sending ATC in buses? 
By carrying personnel, the ATC at the nearest airport can be temporarily operated by road. The technical manpower cannot be deployed until the ship flies sustainably . If there are regular flights, we will not allow shortage of staff . 

What is the reason why the airports that were closed due to security reasons in the Maoist conflict are still not open? 
State policy on which airport to operate/not to operate  The main subject is . If the state ensures investment, the authority will build, improve and upgrade the airport. The authority cannot build an airport by investing on its own. 

Is it possible to operate an airport in some remote hilly districts reached by road? If there are enough number of
ships, regular flights can be made . The purchasing power of the locals has also increased. The lifeline of airports in Nepal's remote places is the rescue of sick and pregnant women, emergency security provided by the state, services including elections, medicine and books during epidemics. A 15-minute air journey is becoming more and more popular than an hour-long road trip.

Airport construction, upgrading, regular operations are limited to election issues. What will be the reason for not continuing after the election ? 
It depends on the policy of the state. Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal is the only body providing technical advice and assistance to the government's civil air service system.

Lately, some airports have been closed due to lack of passengers.
This is not a guarantee of flight . If there is a regular flight at this hour, there will be no shortage of passengers. Passengers depend on the ship if the airline flies regularly. If the air service is not regular then the confidence of the passengers will be broken . Private airlines see profits . The state-owned airline does not have enough aircraft. Bharatpur and Bhadrapur airports are examples of many airports that have been closed. Although there are many options for road transport, the number of passengers at these airports is increasing.