SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, JAN 24 -
Commercial operation of Nepal’s second international airport at Nijgadh, Bara could begin in 2015. Korea’s Landmark Worldwide Company (LMW), which did a detailed feasibility study for the airport, said the single-runway airport could be finished in 2015 if construction is started this year.
LMW plans to submit the feasibility study report to the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) by January-end. Once the feasibility study is completed, the airport will be developed under the “build own operate and transfer” (BOOT) model.
LMW’s feasibility study stated that the proposed airport could handle five to 15 million passengers annually and even accommodate the super-jumbo Airbus 380 after the first phase of construction. The estimated investment for the first phase, according to the feasibility study, would be US$ 600 million.
The airport would be expanded to accommodate 30 million passengers annually in the second phase. “The second phase will be commissioned in 2022,” said Binay B. Rawal, Nepal representative of LMW.
By the end of the third phase of construction, the airport will have a parallel runway enabling it to handle 60 million passengers annually. “The airport will have a three-storied terminal building with the latest systems and highly intelligent security equipment,” said Rawal.
The study has stated that a Kathmandu-Tarai fast track should be completed at least six months before the start of the airport’s commercial operation. “Without completing the fast track at least six months in advance, the airport cannot start commercial operation,” said Rawal.
LMW had submitted a preliminary report of the detailed feasibility study for the second international airport in July 2010 and urged an early completion of the fast track. President and CEO of the South Korean company Lee Sang Ho had met with MoTCA officials and held discussions with the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). LMW had presented options and a concept for the runway, the terminal and services at the proposed airport. MoTCA will call a global tender for the airport’s construction after receiving LMW’s report.
The second international airport project has a few hurdles to cross. The major issues are how soon the fast track can be completed and the airport’s operational modality. “It is still not clear what types of aircraft the government will allow to be diverted to the new airport,” said Rawal. CAAN officials said the government’s plan to upgrade Janakpur, Pokhara and Bhairahawa airports to regional international airports could make the proposed second international airport redundant.
