Nepal prepares to reopen Mahendranagar airport after 28 years

Nepal's Civil Aviation Authority (CAAN) is preparing to reopen the airport at Mahendranagar, shut for roughly 28 years, according to the authority. Budget allocations for the project are planned within the current fiscal year.

The original runway measured about 1,000 metres. Work is under way to extend it to 1,525 metres, and 1,450 metres have already been completed, according to the Nepali outlet Malikarjun Khabar.

The extended runway is meant to allow ATR 72 aircraft to operate at the airport. Several tasks remain before it can reopen: renovating the terminal building, finishing a perimeter fence, and installing a power line.

Authorities said the airport should improve connectivity for the surrounding region and draw more travellers from neighbouring India, with which the area shares a border.

No date has been given for when the airport might resume commercial flights. Further infrastructure work is still required before that can happen.