Only 13 airports in profit

Kathmandu, Sept 21: Billions of rupees have been invested in development of airports for the promotion and expansion of air transport. However, its return is not satisfactory. Only 13 airports in the country are in profit.

Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), the air transport regulatory body, only 13 out of the 32 airports in operation in the country are in profit.

Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu is among the 13 airports running in profit. The airports running in profit in the previous fiscal year include Chandragadhi, Biratnagar, Simara, Pokhara, Gautam Buddha, Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi, Lukla, Janakpur, Bharatpur, Jomsom and Simikot.

The airports have not given returns as per the investments made. They are only meeting the annual general expenditure of the CAAN.

CAAN Director General, Rajan Pokharel said the airports hardly meet the annual general expenses. The profit is not included in the development expenditure.

CAAN’s total earning last fiscal year was Rs 8 billion, including Rs 2 billion in airport charge. This amount cannot be considered as profit as compared to the annual budget.

More than Rs 45 billion budget had been allocated to CAAN in last fiscal year.

The government has apportioned Rs 46.965 billion for the next fiscal year 2019/20.