Prime Minister Inaugurates Nepal's Second International Airport

16 May 2022

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba of Nepal inaugurated the Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA), Nepal’s second international airport. The opening was also marked by a successful landing of an international commercial flight.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) supported the Government of Nepal to build and upgrade the GBIA through the Asia Tourism Infrastructure Development Project, which is helping Bangladesh, India, and Nepal improve infrastructure and services in key tourism sites.

Total cost of the airport construction is $76.1 million, of which ADB contributed $37 million in loans and grants. The OPEC Fund for International Development contributed about $11 million in loans while the rest is funded by the Government of Nepal.

According to Mr. Deuba, the opening was a historic day for Nepal’s aviation and tourism sectors and will contribute to the country’s overall development and long-term prosperity. ADB Country Director for Nepal Arnaud Cauchois said "the airport will form a cornerstone of the country's overall development by facilitating tourism, expanding trade and economic activities, generating local employment opportunities, and improving international air transport access to migrant workers and people living in the nearby provinces."

The new airport can accommodate wide-body airplanes and features a 15,169-square-meter terminal building, a new 3,000-meter runway, and an advanced Instrument Landing System. The airport is 19 kilometers from Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha and a UNESCO World Heritage.


Related Link:
Nepal has taken a significant step in enhancing its energy cooperation with India by signing a $12.36 million...

Read More


The Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) of Bhutan and the Adani Group of India have signed a Memorandum...

Read More


Southeast and South Asia are two of the most dynamic and fastest growing regions in the world....

Read More


The passenger ferry service between India and Sri Lanka resumed operations on 16 August 2024, marking a significant...

Read More


Mr. Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary of the Government of India, met with Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, Minister of...

Read More


Mr. Masood Imad, High Commissioner of the Maldives to Sri Lanka, emphasized the importance of collaboration between Maldives...

Read More


The Memorandum of Understanding signed by the governments of Bhutan and India, attended by Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay...

Read More