The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $150 million concessional loan to improve the capacity of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) and Gautam Buddha Airport (GBA), two major airports in Nepal. TIA in Kathmandu is the country’s only international airport and a major hub for domestic air transport. GBA in Lumbini will serve as an alternate international air transport facility for Nepal. Both airports help support tourism in Nepal, where tourism generated around $2.05 billion in 2019.

"The project will help revive the country’s tourism industry and address the long-term negative effects of the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) pandemic," Mr. Kai Wei Yeo, ADB Senior Transport Specialist for South Asia. The project will increase capacity and improve safety for TIA while the new GBA international terminal will help boost regional tourism in and around Lumbini, he said.

The project will also address the need to build climate and disaster resilience by installing solar panels and energy-efficient lighting at the planned GBA terminal building.

Related Link:

• ADB Approves $150 Million Loan to Upgrade Major Airports in Nepal