Rajbiraj (Saptari), Dec 16 – Night flights have officially commenced at Rajbiraj Airport in Saptari, marking a significant milestone in its operations. Buddha Air launched commercial night flights after installing necessary equipment for night flight operations.

Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey, inaugurated the night flight service, expressing optimism about its impact on tourism and the economy. “Rajbiraj will no longer remain in the shadows. All efforts will be made to ensure regular operations of the airport. Visitors will leave after experiencing the natural and cultural heritage of this region,” said Minister Pandey.

He emphasized the airport’s potential to enhance Nepal’s tourism and economic growth, noting the multifaceted benefits of night flight services. The minister also highlighted the need to develop direct flights from Rajbiraj to destinations like Pokhara in the future. Earlier, Minister Pandey inaugurated the newly installed Airfield Lighting System at the airport.

With Rajbiraj added to the list, there are now 10 airports in Nepal offering night flight services. These include Bhadrapur, Biratnagar, Rajbiraj, Simara, Janakpur, Kathmandu, Pokhara, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, and Dhangadhi.

Since January 2020, Buddha Air has been operating daily Kathmandu–Rajbiraj–Kathmandu flights using its 72-seater ATR aircraft. Rajbiraj Airport, inaugurated in 1959 by then-Minister Ganesh Man Singh, features a 1,500-meter-long and 30-meter-wide paved runway.

Although the airport was dormant for years, Shree Airlines resumed flights on June 25, 2018. However, it halted services after a year, leaving Buddha Air as the sole operator.