Aviation History of Nepal in Brief-Aviation History of Nepal

1949: The date heralded the formal beginning of aviation in Nepal with the landing of a 4 seated lone powered vintage beach-craft Bonanza aircraft of Indian ambassador Mr. Sarjit Singh Mahathia at Gauchar.

1950: The first Charter flight By Himalayan Aviation Dakota FromGoucher to Kolkata.

1955: King Mahendra inaugurated Gauchar Airport and renamed it as Tribhuwan Airport.

1957: Grassy runway transformed into a concrete one.

1957: Department of civil Aviation Founded.

1958: Royal Nepal Airlines started scheduled service domestically and externally.

1959: RNAC fully owned by HMG/N as a public undertaking.

1960: Nepal Attained ICAO membership.

1964: Tribhuvan Airport renamed as Tribhuvan International Airport.

1967: The 3750 feet long runway extended to 6600 feet.

1967: Landing of the German Airlines Lufthansa Boeing 707.

1968: Thai International starts its scheduled jet air services.

1972: Nepalese jet aircraft Boeing 727/100 makes debut landing at TIA. ATC services taken over by Nepalese personnel from Indian Technicians.

1975: TIA runway extended to 10000 feet from the previous 6600 feet.

1975: CATC established.

1976: FIC (Flight information Center) established.

1977: Nepal imprinted in the World Aeronautical.

1989: Completion of international Terminal Building and first Concorde landing.

1990: New International terminal Building Of TIA inaugurated by king Birendra.

1992: Adoption of Liberal Aviation Policy and emergence of private sector in domestic air transport. 1993: National Civil Aviation Policy Promulgated.

1995: Domestic terminal Building of TIA and Apron expanded at TIA.

1998: COSCAP-SA project established. Inauguration of RADAR System at TIA by Rt. Hon. P.M. Girija Prasad Koirala.

2002: Expansion of the International Terminal Building at TIA and the construction of a new air cargo complex.

2003: Rara airport (Mugu), Kangeldandasirport (Solukhumbu) and Thamkharka airport (Khotang) brought in Operation.

2004: Domestic operation by jet aircraft commenced.

2005: International Flight by two private operator began.

2006: A new comprehensive Aviation Policy introduced. GMG Airlines of Bangladesh, Korean Air and Air Arabia started air service to Nepal.

2007: Site identified for a new second international airport. Etihad, Dragon Air, Orient Thai and Hong Kong Express commenced their service to Nepal.

2009: RCAG station established in Nepalgunj to augment coverage of VHF communications in Air Traffic Control. 2010: An agreement of SDR 44388000 signed between Nepal Government and CAAN for capacity Enhancement project of TIA under ADB loan.

2011: Tumlingtar and Simikot runways paved. Installation of new DVOR/DME at KTM and BIR.

2012: Introduction of RNP AR procedures at TIA effected from June. AMHS commissioned CAA received TRAINAIR PLUS Associate Membership from ICAO.

2013: Installation of CNS & ATM Equipment at TIA to enhance ATC Capacity. Up gradation of DVOR/DME and RMM at Nepalgunj, Bhairahawa, Simara and Maintenance Hut.

2014: Commencement of Installation of Terminal Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar (T-MSSR) at TIA and enroute MSSR at Bhattedanda under Japanese Grant AID.

2015: Gautam Buddha International Airport foundation stone laid down by Rt. Hon’ PM Sushil Korala. New Domestic Terminal Building Constructed at TIA. Total 23 Airports including TIA are paved.

2016: Pokhara Regional/Intl’ Airport Construction Foundation Stone Laid down by Rt. Hon’ PM K.P. Oli (2016 April 13). Civil