Trekking Season Takes a Hit: CAAN’s TIA Closure Stuns Nepal’s Tourism Industry

Trekking Season Takes a Hit

Trekking season takes a hit in a controversial move, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has announced a partial closure of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) during Nepal’s peak trekking season. With the aim of upgrading infrastructure and expanding capacity, TIA will remain closed daily for 10 hours, from 10 PM to 8 AM, over a projected five-month period. However, given past delays in high-scale projects, this timeframe may well extend beyond expectations, exacerbating the impact on Nepal’s tourism.

For those in the trekking, travel, and tourism sectors, the closure comes as an unwelcome surprise. Many bookings had already been made months in advance, yet now, travelers are canceling their trekking plans and rebooking in alternative destinations. This disruption is not just affecting adventurers looking forward to trekking in Nepal but is also a serious blow to the country’s tourism industry—a sector second only to remittance in generating foreign currency. With the peak trekking season drawing in trekkers and mountaineers from around the world, this unexpected change could have a profound economic impact, costing millions in revenue.

The closure of TIA also highlights Nepal’s lack of reliable alternative international gateways. Although the country boasts two additional international airports—Pokhara International Airport, located 200 km away, and Gautam Buddha Airport, 262 km away from Kathmandu—neither has regular international flights. These facilities, built with high-interest loans from institutions like the Asian Development Bank and China Exim Bank, currently see only occasional charter and courtesy flights. Investigations into possible corruption related to the construction and operation of these airports are ongoing, with the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) having summoned key officials for questioning.

For trekking in Nepal, this development is particularly disheartening. With the peak season attracting thousands of adventure tourists, many are concerned that the closure of TIA is an attempt to divert flights to underutilized airports outside Kathmandu. This has fueled widespread speculation of a hidden agenda within CAAN, as the decision appears to disregard the critical timing of Nepal’s trekking season.

Despite the infrastructure challenges, trekking in Nepal remains an unparalleled experience, with its majestic Himalayan landscapes, diverse culture, and warm hospitality. Yet, with this disruption at TIA, the question arises: Will Nepal’s tourism resilience endure this unexpected turbulence, or will travelers look elsewhere in the future? As the nation grapples with the repercussions of this decision, the resilience of Nepal’s trekking industry will be put to the test.