PIA to start conducting night flights

Pokhara Regional International Airport (PIA) is ready for night flights from today. The airport has informed that the Instrument flight rules (IFR) system has been implemented for night flights at the airport.

"With the implementation of this system, it will be possible to take off and land easily from Pokhara Airport even at night," said Bikram Gautam, Director of PIA.

The airport informed that the first-morning flight of Buddha Air landed at the airport using the IFR system. According to Yeti Airlines sources, Yeti is preparing to take off and land on Friday from this system.

According to airport chief Gautam, the IFR system was tested on Tuesday and Wednesday. "Now the airport is ready to serve 18 hours from 6 am to 12 pm," he said. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) published 'Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP)' stating that the airport is suitable for all flights. After 42 days of publication of the AIP, all flights at the airport will be considered eligible. 

CAAN claims that IFR is a fully mechanical system and is much safer and easier than Visual Flight Rules (VFR). Tourism Minister Sudan Kirati, who came to monitor the airport, informed that diplomatic initiatives are being taken to start international air services.

Buddha Air will start commercial night flights from March 9. Information officer Dipendra Karna informed that 4 aircraft will be in Pokhara for night flights.

Buddha is flying from Pokhara to Kathmandu, Nepalganj, Bhairahawa, and Bharatpur.