KATHMANDU: Efforts are underway to operate Bhairahwa and Pokhara airports for the upcoming winter season.

Thai Air Asia will fly direct from Bangkok to Gautam Buddha International Airport, Bhairahwa, every Sunday and Wednesday using an Airbus A320 with 180 seats.

Flights will arrive at 12:15 PM and depart at 1:15 PM.

Thai Air Asia has already received approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal to operate from 26 October).

Kuwaiti Jazeera Airlines may also resume flights, though approvals are pending.

Flights to Bhairahwa and Pokhara are free for airlines except for 25% ground handling fees.

Nepal Airlines will resume one weekly transit flight from Malaysia, while Himalaya Airlines continues Tuesday flights from Lhasa to Pokhara. Air Arabia and Fly Dubai are not planning to return yet.