Gautam Buddha Airport

The airport was opened as a domestic airport called Bhairahawa Airport providing flights to Kathmandu in 1958 and has since been operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.{{cite web |title=Gautam Buddha Airport |url=http://www.caanepal.gov.np/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/GAUTAM-BUDDHA-AIRPORT.pdf |publisher=Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal |access-date=31 January 2019 |archive-date=7 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907083235/http://www.caanepal.gov.np/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/GAUTAM-BUDDHA-AIRPORT.pdf |url-status=dead }} In 1985, the airport was one of the target of the Nepal bombings.webindia123. [http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/Asia/20060528/346900.html Indian freedom fighters behind Nepal revolution?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528201107/https://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/Asia/20060528/346900.html is|date=28 May 2019 }}Dangol, Sanu Bhai. [https://books.google.com/books?id=bXtuAAAAMAAJ The Palace in Nepalese Politics: With Special Reference to the Politics of 1951 to 1990]. Kathmandu: Ratna Pustak Bhandar, 1999. pp. 128-129 In 1977, the airport was renamed Gautam Buddha Airport in honor of Gautam Buddha, who was born in the neighboring village of Lumbini.{{cite web |title=Bringing travellers to the birth place of Lord Buddha |url=https://nepaltraveller.com/travel/airports-in-nepal/gautam-buddha-airport-bhairahawa |publisher=Nepal Traveller |access-date=1 January 2021|last1=Mandal |first1=Rina Kumar|date=27 September 2020 }}

First plans to develop the then domestic airport into Nepal's second international airport were developed in 2013 with the aim of operating the upgraded airport by 2017,{{cite web |last1=Prasain |first1=Sangam |title=Govt plans to complete upgradation of Gautam Buddha airport by 2017 |url=https://ekantipur.com/2013/12/01/related-article/govt-plans-to-complete-upgradation-by-2017/381673.html/ |publisher=The Kathmandu Post |date=1 December 2013 |access-date=24 March 2022 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304040500/http://www.ekantipur.com/2013/12/01/related-article/govt-plans-to-complete-upgradation-by-2017/381673.html/ |url-status=dead }} in order to relieve the congested Tribhuvan International Airport.{{cite news |title=Bhairahawa airport is nearing completion, but no foreign airline has applied to serve it |url=https://kathmandupost.com/money/2019/11/28/bhairahawa-airport-is-nearing-completion-but-no-foreign-airline-has-applied-to-serve-it |access-date=4 March 2020 |last1=Prasain |first1=Sangam |publisher=The Kathmandu Post |date=28 November 2019}}

The project was financed by a loan and grant aid from the Asian Development Bank. The contract to upgrade the airport was awarded to the Chinese company Northwest Civil Aviation Airport Construction Group in October 2014.{{cite news |url= http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2017-11-24/2nd-package-of-airport-project-to-start-in-feb.html |title= Gautam Buddha Airport Project: 2nd package of project to start in Feb |date=24 November 2017 |publisher=The Kathmandu Post |access-date=27 March 2013}}

In January 2015, prime minister Sushil Koirala laid the foundation stone of the new airport with the aim of beginning operations at the airport by December 2017.{{cite web |last1=Dhungana |first1=Madhav |title=Gautam Buddha Airport expansion plan launched |url=https://kathmandupost.com/money/2015/01/16/gautam-buddha-airport-expansion-plan-launched |publisher=The Kathmandu Post |access-date=31 July 2022 |date=16 January 2015}} It was planned to have a {{convert|3000|m|0|abbr=}} runway and sixteen international parking bays.{{cite web |title=Gautam Buddha Airport to have 16 parking bays |url=http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2018-08-03/gautam-buddha-airport-to-have-16-parking-bays.html |publisher=The Kathmandu Post |access-date=31 January 2019 |date=3 August 2018}} In 2017, the upgrade was delayed for more than six months and the deadline for the completion was extended to 2019 due to the 2015 Nepal earthquake and the 2015 Nepal blockade.{{cite web |url=https://www.aviationnepal.com/gautam-buddha-intl-airport-project-becoming-progressive-with-photo-feature/|last1=Anurup |first1=Pathak|title=Gautam Buddha Int'l Airport project becoming progressive |date=16 February 2018 |publisher=Aviation Nepal|access-date=27 March 2018}} In July 2019, the project's deadline was extended and the expansion was expected to be completed by December 2019.{{cite web |title=GBIA deadline extended till December |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/business/gbia-deadline-extended-till-december/ |date=15 July 2019|publisher=The Himalayan Times |access-date=14 July 2019}} Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal, the opening of the airport was postponed again in July 2020 to March 2021.{{cite web |last1=Gautam |first1=Santosh |title=The operation of Bhairahawa Airport has been postponed for one year |url=https://www.aviationnepal.com/the-operation-of-bhairahawa-airport-has-been-postponed-for-one-year/ |publisher=Aviation Nepal |access-date=4 July 2020 |date=3 July 2020}} In June 2021, the opening was again postponed until early 2022, as final tests could not take place during monsoon season.{{cite web |last1=Prasain |first1=Sangam |title=Monsoon holds up finishing touches at Bhairahawa international airport |url=https://kathmandupost.com/money/2021/06/12/monsoon-holds-up-finishing-touches-at-bhairahawa-international-airport |publisher=The Kathmandu Post |access-date=3 July 2021 |date=12 June 2021}}

In late 2021, the calibration flights were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal, resulting in further postponement of the opening of the airport.{{cite web |last1=Prasain |first1=Sangam |title=Testing of equipment at Bhairahawa airport to start soon |url=https://kathmandupost.com/money/2021/11/20/testing-of-equipment-at-bhairahawa-airport-to-start |publisher=The Kathmandu Post |access-date=1 February 2022 |date=20 November 2021}} These flights took place in February 2022.{{cite web |title=Gautam Buddha International Airport starts Calibration flights |url=https://nepalnews.com/s/travel-and-tourism/gautam-buddha-international-airport-starts-calibration-flights |publisher=Nepal News |access-date=17 March 2022 |date=18 February 2022}}

On 30 January 2022, the official opening date was set to Buddha Jayanti on 26 May 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/gautam-buddha-international-airport-brought-into-operation|title=Gautam Buddha International Airport brought into operation|date=21 April 2022|publisher= The Himalayan Times|access-date=31 July 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Bhandari |first1=Minraj |title=Gautam Buddha Airport to be operational from May 26 |url=https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/gautam-buddha-airport-to-be-operational-from-may-26/ |publisher=Republica |access-date=1 February 2022 |date=30 January 2022}}

In March 2022, it was announced that Jazeera Airways would be the first international airline to serve the airport.{{cite web |title=Nepal's second international airport to start flights on May 16; Kuwait the first destination |url=https://english.onlinekhabar.com/new-international-airport-kuwait.html |publisher=Onlinekhabar |access-date=17 March 2022 |date=14 March 2022}}

On 21 April 2022, the newly built 3,000 m runway was opened while the old one was put into use as a taxiway.{{Cite web|title=Gautam Buddha International Airport in operation|url=https://mteveresttoday.com/gautam-buddha-international-airport-in-operation|website=Mt Everest Today|language=en|date=21 April 2022}}

The airport was officially opened with the arrival of the first international flight by Jazeera Airways on 16 May 2022.{{cite web |last1=Prasain |first1=Sangam |title=Bhairahawa goes wow as second international airport opens |url=https://kathmandupost.com/money/2022/05/17/bhairahawa-goes-wow-as-second-international-airport-opens |publisher=The Kathmandu Post |access-date=1 June 2022 |date=17 May 2022}}

As of November 2022, only one international carrier served the airport. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) forced any airline operating more than three flights a day from Nepal's other international airport, Tribhuvan International Airport to also operate from Gautam Buddha Airport.{{cite web |last1=Prasain |first1=Sangam |title=Aviation regulator pressuring airlines to link Bhairahawa |url=https://kathmandupost.com/money/2022/10/31/aviation-regulator-pressuring-airlines-to-link-bhairahawa |publisher=The Kathmandu Post |access-date=6 November 2022 |date=31 October 2022}}{{cite web |title=Airlines must operate international chartered flights from GBIA |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/airlines-must-operate-international-chartered-flights-from-gbia |publisher=The Himalayan Times |access-date=6 November 2022 |date=1 November 2022}} This sparked a controversy, as CAAN canceled flights by Nepal Airlines as the airline did not comply with this ruling.{{cite news |title=New Delhi-bound Nepal Airlines flight from Kathmandu cancelled at last minute, leaving 254 stranded |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/new-delhi-bound-nepal-airlines-flight-from-kathmandu-cancelled-at-last-minute-leaving-254-stranded/articleshow/95234887.cms |newspaper=The Economic Times |date=November 2022 |access-date=6 November 2022}}

By the end of 2022, there were no international flights, as all carriers suspended their services due to the low visibility due to the winter weather.{{cite web |last1=Sherpa |first1=Sangay |title=Suspension of flights from GBIA hits businesses |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/suspension-of-flights-from-gbia-hits-businesses |publisher=The Himalayan Times |access-date=8 January 2023 |date=5 January 2023}}

File:Gautam Buddha International Airport ATC.jpg

The airport has one runway designated 10/28 with an Asphalt concrete (Bituminous Paved) surface measuring {{convert|3000|x|45|m|0}}.{{Cite web |date=2018-10-30 |title=Blacktopping Of Gautam Buddha International Airport'S Runway Begins |url=https://www.onlinektmnp.com/blacktopping-of-gautam-buddha-international-airports-runway-begins/ |access-date=2022-07-08 |website=Online Kathmandu |language=en-US}} It has an east-west orientation with a designation of 10/28 and a 200 meters Runway End Safety Area (RESA) on both side. It features a 1,500-meter x 23 meters parallel taxiway (10-28) used previously for the domestic airplanes.{{Cite web |last=Today |first=N. L. |date=2022-04-21 |title=Runway at Gautam Buddha International Airport comes into operation |url=https://www.nepallivetoday.com/2022/04/21/runway-at-gautam-buddha-international-airport-comes-into-operation/ |access-date=2022-07-08 |website=Nepal Live Today |language=en}}{{Importance inline|date=November 2022}}

Advanced navigational aids and airport lighting for safety and navigation is installed. There are two non-precision approach available at the Gautam Buddha Airport; VHF omnidirectional range along a distance measuring equipment (DVOR/DME) and Required Area Navigation (RNAV/RNP). A non-directional (radio) beacon (NDB) is installed at the northern side of the airport.{{Cite web |title=BHW @ OurAirports |url=https://ourairports.com/navaids/BHW/Bhairahawa_NDB_NP/ |access-date=2022-07-09 |website=ourairports.com}} One Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcasting (ADS-B) Sensor has been installed by CAAN at Bhairahawa to extend the surveillance coverage within the local airspace. There is an instrument landing system available to allow aircraft landing even in reduced visibility.{{Cite web |date=2021-11-15 |title=ILS being installed at Gautam Buddha International Airport |url=https://nepalekhabar.com/2021/11/101484 |access-date=2022-07-08 |website=nepaleKhabar |language=en-US}} The airport also possesses a visual guidance system which gives visual information to the pilot attempting to park the aircraft at the airport parking bay.ADB (2020). Nepal: South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Airport Capacity Enhancement Project{{Importance inline|date=July 2022}}{{Importance inline|date=November 2022}}

ILS at the airport is installed but not functional as Indian Skies will be used to fully implement it.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-09 |title=Failure to use ILS obstructs flight operations at GBIA - The Annapurna Express |url=https://theannapurnaexpress.com/news/failure-to-use-ils-obstructs-flight-operations-at-gbia-36502 |access-date=2023-01-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109044825/https://theannapurnaexpress.com/news/failure-to-use-ils-obstructs-flight-operations-at-gbia-36502 |archive-date=9 January 2023 }} On 2 June 2023 India has granted clearance for operation of Instrument Landing System (ILS) at the Gautam Buddha international Airport in Bhairahawa.{{Cite web |date=2 June 2023 |title=India grants clearance for ILS system operation at Gautam Buddha International Airport |url=https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/amp/india-grants-clearance-for-ils-system-operation-at-gautam-buddha-international-airport/news.html.twig |website=MyRepublica}}

The airport consists of two public terminals at the airport, one for international traffic and one for domestic traffic. During the upgrade to an international airport, but before the opening of it, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation announced to build a new 35,000 m² international terminal for the airport. The current terminal would be used as domestic terminal afterwards.{{Cite news |date=2019-03-31 |title=Nepal seeks bids for international terminal at Gautam Buddha airport |url=https://www.airport-technology.com/news/nepal-international-terminal/ |access-date=2022-07-08 |website=Airport Technology |language=en-US |last1=Singh |first1=Bikrant Kumar }} The Government of Nepal sought suggestions on different designs for terminals of Gautam Buddha International Airport through social media.{{Cite web |title=Aviation minister seeks suggestions for terminal designs of Gautam Buddha Airport |url=http://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/99498/ |access-date=2020-10-13|date=22 September 2020 |website=My Republica |language=en}} The new terminal would have 4 Sky-bridges, which the current terminal is lacking.

{{Airport-dest-list

| Buddha Air | Kathmandu, Pokhara{{cite web |title=Flights from Kathmandu to Bhairahawa |url=https://www.buddhaair.com/flight-routes/flights-from-kathmandu-to-bhairahawa |publisher=Buddha Air |access-date=1 July 2019}}{{cite web |title=Flights from Pokhara to Bhairahawa |url=https://www.buddhaair.com/flight-routes/flights-from-pokhara-to-bhairahawa |publisher=Buddha Air |access-date=1 July 2019}}

| Jazeera Airways | Kuwait City{{cite web |title=Jazeera Airlines resumes its flights from GBIA |url=https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/jazeera-airlines-resumes-its-flights-from-gbia/ |publisher=República |access-date=17 March 2023 |date=10 March 2023}}

| Nepal Airlines | Dubai–International,{{cite web |title=Nepal Airlines Adds Siddharthanagar – Dubai Service From Nov 2024 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/241105-ranw24dxb |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=5 November 2024}} Kathmandu

| Shree Airlines | Kathmandu{{cite web |title=Bahirahawa |url=http://www.shreeairlines.com/bahirahawa.html |publisher=Shree Airlines |access-date=1 July 2019 |archive-date=10 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110132325/http://www.shreeairlines.com/bahirahawa.html |url-status=dead }}

| Thai AirAsia | Bangkok–Don Mueang{{cite web |title=Thai AirAsia to launch Bangkok Don Mueang-Siddharthanagar service from 08-Nov-2024 |url=https://centreforaviation.com/news/thai-airasia-to-launch-bangkok-don-mueang-siddharthanagar-service-from-08-nov-2024-1289780 |publisher=CAPA |access-date=9 November 2024}}

| Yeti Airlines | Kathmandu, Pokhara

{{cite web |title=Flights from Bhairahawa to Pokhara|url=https://english.onlinekhabar.com/yeti-airlines-launches-bhairahawa-pokhara-flights.html |publisher= Online Khabar Nepal|access-date=11 Nov 2024}}}}

Notes:

{{Note|1|1}} Both, Flydubai's as well as Qatar Airways's outbound flights from Siddhartangar to Dubai or Doha make a stop in Kathmandu.{{cite web |title=flydubai Adds Bhairahawa Service From Nov 2024 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/241024-fznov24bwa |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=24 October 2024}}{{cite web |title=Qatar Airways to fly to Bhairahawa from Tuesday |url=https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/qatar-airways-to-fly-to-bhairahawa-from-tuesday-6731c6ff68077.html |publisher=República |access-date=23 November 2024 |date=11 November 2024}} However, the airlines do not have traffic rights to transport passengers solely between Siddhartanagar and Kathmandu.

{{Airport-Statistics|iata=BWA}}

File:Gbia.png

The airport is located near National Highway 05, which was enlarged in 2018 to ease access to the airport.{{Cite web |last=Pokharel |first=Laxman |title=Infrastructure changing the face of Lumbini |url=https://theannapurnaexpress.com/news/infrastructure-changing-the-face-of-lumbini-3031 |access-date=2022-07-14 |website=The Annapurna Express |language=en}}

As of 2020 it is planned that a system of electric buses will serve Gautam Buddha Airport.{{cite web |title=Sajha's electric buses gather dust for the want of charging stations |url=https://english.onlinekhabar.com/sajhas-electric-buses-gather-dust-for-the-want-of-charging-stations.html |publisher=Online Khabar |access-date=3 November 2020}}

It was planned that ground vehicles used at the airport would be fully electric.{{Cite web |title=Electric vehicles come into operation in Lumbini |url=https://risingnepaldaily.com/news/12228 |access-date=2022-06-10 |website=GorakhaPatra}} Currently there are nine fast charging stations installed in this airport.{{Cite web |title=Nepal's first electric vehicle charging station opens |url=https://kathmandupost.com/money/2021/12/29/nepal-s-first-electric-vehicle-charging-station-opens |access-date=2022-06-10 |website=kathmandupost.com |language=English}}{{Cite web |title=Under the project of Clean Energy Project, the station and the solar plant that powers the station has been constructed |url=https://nepaltraveller.com/news/nepals-largest-electric-charging-station-complete |access-date=2022-06-10 |website=nepaltraveller.com |language=en}} There are plans to make the airport fully solar powered, only the second airport worldwide to do so.{{cite web |last1=Prasain |first1=Sangam |date=28 November 2020 |title=Plan for airport in Bhairahawa to be fully solar powered gains momentum |url=https://kathmandupost.com/national/2020/11/28/plan-for-airport-in-bhairahawa-to-be-fully-solar-powered-gains-momentum |access-date=29 November 2020 |publisher=Kathmandu Post}}{{Cite web |date=2019-09-30 |title=Bhairahawa airport's plan to go solar is feasible, say officials » Borneo Bulletin Online |url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/bhairahawa-airports-plan-go-solar-feasible-say-officials/ |access-date=2022-06-10 |website=Bhairahawa airport's plan to go solar is feasible, say officials |language=en-US}}

• 5 November 1960 – A Royal Nepal Airlines Douglas DC-3 crashed upon take-off at Bhairahawa Airport and caught fire. All 4 crew members died. There were no passengers on board.{{cite web |title=ASN Aircraft Accident Douglas C-47A-80-DL (DC-3) 9N-AAD |url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19601105-0 |publisher=Aviation Safety Network |access-date=31 July 2022}}
• 7 August 1995 – An Indian Airlines Douglas DC-8 crashlanded at Bhairahawa Airport, killing one pilot.{{cite news |title=Pilot killed |publisher=The Straits Times |date=8 August 1995}}
• 24 September 2016 – A Yeti Airlines BAe Jetstream 41 en route from Kathmandu overran the runway while landing at Gautam Buddha Airport. All 29 passengers and the crew of 3 were unhurt but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.{{cite web |title=Yeti Airlines 9N-AIB Escaped from an accident |url=http://aviationnepal.com/yeti-airlines-9n-aib-escaped-from-an-accident/ |publisher=Aviation Nepal |date=24 September 2016|access-date=31 July 2022 |last=Pathak |first=Anurup}}
• 11 July 2024 - A Buddha Air ATR 72-500, which was flying from Kathmandu, skidded off the runway as it landed at Gautam Buddha Airport. All 59 passengers and including four crew members, have been safely evacuated from the plane without injuries.{{cite web |title=Plane with 59 passengers skids off runway in Nepal, no injuries reported |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/plane-with-59-passengers-skids-off-runway-in-nepal-no-injuries-reported/articleshow/111683887.cms |website=Times of India |access-date=30 July 2024}}

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• {{ASN|BWA|BWA / VNBW}}

{{Airports in Nepal}}

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Category:Airports in Nepal

Category:Buildings and structures in Rupandehi District

Category:National Pride Projects

Category:Airports established in 1958

Category:1958 establishments in Nepal