KATHMANDU, Nepal-locals in Manang district have breathed a sigh of relief with the operation of regular flights in Humde Airport. The daily flight in the Himalayan district is expected to boost tourism in the region.
The regular flight from Pokhara to Humde started after the airport authority accomplished the runway’s renovation a few weeks ago.
A team of technicians from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) along with Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) had recently carried out a test flight on the runway.
Located at 11,1,45 feet above the sea level, the airport was operating the flights on dry seasons just before renovation of the runway.
Only small-sized chartered aircrafts used to land at the airport besides the NAC´s twin-otters in the past since the runway could not support heavier planes.
After three years of renovation, the 600-meter runway has now been extended by 300 meters and its surface has macadamized, according to an official at Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) office in Pokhara.
Total of Rs 90 million was spent for renovation and the official believed that three and half years of investment has paid off.
With the renovation of runway, local peoples believe that heavier planes would land there throughout the year, booming the tourism in the area.
