Gautam Buddha Airport and Lumbini Tourism amid India-China Relations

Lumbini, a popular tourist destination in Nepal, was previously accessible primarily by land and small domestic airplanes. To improve transportation options and boost tourism, the government built Gautam Buddha International Airport, which began operations in May last year. Commonly referred to as Bhairahawa Airport, the new terminal enables visitors to fly directly to Lumbini instead of journeying 250km (155 miles) overland from Kathmandu.

Despite being well-known for the Himalayas, diverse ecosystems, and breathtaking landscapes, Nepal is also celebrated for Lumbini - the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Each year, millions of Buddhists and Hindus from around the world visit Lumbini for religious and non-religious purposes. In 2022 alone, nearly a million people traveled to the site.

Sadly, the expected tourism boom did not occur due to insufficient promotion, lack of incentives for international airlines, and tense relations between India and China. The government encouraged businesses to improve tourism infrastructure with expectations of increased international flights; however, many hotels now struggle with occupancy rates below 50%.

Travel industry experts believe that regular international flights at Bhairahawa Airport would elevate tourist arrivals from other countries. However, Nepali officials report India's reluctance to permit large passenger planes to use its airspace on the west side for flights to Gautam Buddha International Airport. Shorter flight durations could be achieved with access to Indian airspace.

Additionally, some Nepali citizens suspect India's apprehension stems from China's involvement in constructing Gautam Buddha International Airport. It's worth noting that this airport is near Nepal's border with India—just west of where troops clashed in December within the Arunachal Pradesh region.

Initially intended as a solution for Kathmandu's congested airport situation, the Gautam Buddha International Airport aimed to improve traffic management within the country. Similarly, Pokhara's third international airport faces challenges reminiscent of Bhairahawa's difficulties.

Since its inauguration, the Pokhara airport has only welcomed one international flight – a charter carrying Chinese tourists and officials. Both Gautama Buddha and Pokhara airports require considerable international traffic to maintain operations, despite currently hosting 80-85 domestic flights daily.

Nepal Airlines recently initiated a weekly flight from Bhairahawa to Kuala Lumpur, aiming to inspire other airlines. Dipak Bajracharya, director of Gautam Buddha International Airport, believes this could be a step in the right direction.

Meanwhile, Nepal's tourism and civil aviation minister, Sudan Kiranti, remains hopeful for a resolution with India. In conversation with the BBC, he stated that Nepali officials and diplomats are continually communicating with their Indian counterparts, remaining positive about the issue.