KATHMANDU: Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa will resume international flights by Thai AirAsia from October 26, with two weekly flights.

Other airlines, including Jazeera Airways, are also planned, with coordination ongoing.

The airport was inaugurated in 2022, and previously handled flights by Nepal Airlines, Fly Dubai, Jazeera, Thai AirAsia, and Himalaya Airlines.

Lack of regular international flights has affected hotels and tourism businesses.

Over the past year, the airport handled 556 international arrivals and departures.

The government offers fee exemptions and discounts to attract foreign airlines, but challenges like limited airport offices and centralized ticket sales in Kathmandu have slowed the growth of regular flights.