KATHMANDU: Air services at Surkhet Airport have been suspended for two days after a sinkhole appeared on the runway, disrupting regular operations and forcing passengers to travel by road to Nepalgunj to catch onward flights.

The disruption began on Tuesday after water unexpectedly gushed out from beneath the runway, creating a sinkhole in the northern section. Although the initial hole was filled, a second leak was detected just 10 meters away, prompting authorities to halt all flights until Friday.

Surkhet Airport Chief Hiraj Kafle confirmed that maintenance is currently underway to remove the water and fill the affected area. “The first hole was successfully repaired, but we discovered another point where water was leaking. Our team is working around the clock to ensure the runway is safe for operations,” said Kafle.

The affected runway section lies on reclaimed land that had previously been raised over former settlements, which may have contributed to the structural weakness.

Regular flights by Buddha Air and Shree Airlines, which operate four daily flights between Surkhet and Kathmandu, have been suspended. During the closure, many passengers endured a three-hour road journey to Nepalgunj before flying to the capital.

Authorities expect repair work to be completed by Friday evening, with normal flight operations resuming on Saturday.