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Kathmandu,Nepal: In a revealing analysis of Nepal's aviation sector, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) emerges as the financial powerhouse among the country's 35 operational airports, contributing NPR 12.86 billion of the total NPR 14.65 billion revenue generated in FY 2080/81.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) data shows a stark contrast in revenue generation across airports. While TIA dominates the revenue stream, other major airports like Pokhara, Gautam Buddha, and Biratnagar collectively generate just a fraction of TIA's income. Pokhara International Airport earned NPR 349.3 million, followed by Bhairahawa (NPR 211.3 million), and Biratnagar (NPR 175.6 million).
The report highlights a concerning disparity: 20 of Nepal's 55 airports remain non-operational, including facilities in remote areas like Bajhang, Rukum, and Darchula. Among operational regional airports, Doti Airport recorded the lowest revenue at just NPR 474 for the entire fiscal year.
This financial imbalance raises questions about the sustainability of Nepal's regional aviation network, with most airports generating less than NPR 10 million annually, despite their crucial role in connecting remote communities. The data suggests an urgent need for strategic intervention to enhance the viability of regional airports while reducing the heavy dependence on TIA for aviation sector revenue.
The revenue distribution pattern also reveals the challenging economics of maintaining extensive aviation infrastructure in a mountainous country, where many airports serve more as lifelines for remote communities than profitable ventures.
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