CHITWAN: Aviation fuel refilling services have officially begun at Bharatpur Airport in Chitwan, with the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) initiating operations on Wednesday to support growing air traffic.

Executive Director Dr Chandika Prasad Bhatta said the facility was launched in response to increasing flight frequency, ensuring passengers and airlines no longer face fuel-related disruptions. Currently, eight flights operate daily from the airport.

According to NOC Spokesperson Manoj Kumar Thakur, two refilling counters have been installed with a combined daily capacity of 22,000 liters. The service is being managed by six staff members deployed from the Sinamangal office.

Regular flights operate on the Bharatpur-Kathmandu-Bharatpur route, along with limited services on the Bharatpur-Pokhara-Bharatpur sector. Buddha Air Station Manager Bhakta Bahadur Basnet said the on-site refueling facility will allow aircraft to carry more passengers, as planes will no longer need to transport extra fuel from Kathmandu.