According to Wikipedia, the only international airport currently in Nepal was established in 1949, officially inaugurated in 1955 by King Mahendra. In 1957 the grass runway was replaced by concrete, and the name Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) given in 1964.

 

 Since then it would appear not too much has changed. In 1992, there were two major disasters. The first involving Thai Airways Flight 311 when all 113 on board lost their lives. The second came only two months later when Pakistan Airlines Flight PK268 crashed with 167 lives lost. In both cases, the investigation pointed to ineffective radio communication between the ground and flight crew.

 

At that time there was no instrument landing system (ILS) in place, and it was only in 1994 that licensing of air traffic controllers was introduced. In 1998 an ASR/SSR radar system was inaugurated, funded by the Government of Japan that has supported many safety features ever since. But the challenges presented by the location of TIA remain.

 

We all have a love-hate relationship with airports, right? Therefore anything an airport authority can do to make the journey more bearable is appreciated. So, leaving mountainous terrain aside, let’s look (as I promised you last week) at the services provided to customers at the TIA. Let’s start with departing passengers. Those family members, friends or tour guides who have come to see off their loved ones must say their goodbyes at the entrance. No opportunity for that final hug inside the building. Just a very public farewell on the roadside. And don’t bring the family car with you—no stopping please!

 

Finally out of the airport, where is the transport? No airport buses, no signposts for public transport.

 

On receipt of your boarding pass, travel upwards to complete an immigration form (for departure?), and through passport control. Where the computer may or may not be working (which is probably why we need those immigration forms). Experienced TIA travellers will not head toward security yet—knowing there are not enough seats at the gates for everyone. Very experienced TIA travellers will know there is a restaurant upstairs (don’t be confused by the Business Class Lounge sign) run by the Radisson Hotel. (Please keep this secret!) Security negotiated, hunt for a seat at your gate and wait until it is your turn to either walk across the tarmac or be bussed 60 metres. Ignore the laughing tourists.

 

And if you came to Nepal for adventure, well the adventure starts, sure enough, at Arrivals. Inside, unsuspecting tourists mill around looking for the ‘correct’ counter or struggle with machinery designed to smooth the visa process. Eventually stumbling through immigration, be prepared to have your carry-on luggage scanned because who knows, the country you just left might have a less intensive security check (eye roll). Then the fun really begins.

 

Wait endlessly for your luggage to appear. Hopefully you arrive at a time when there are not too many planes landing, taking up the two baggage belts, mixing the luggage from one flight with another. Your luggage might be unceremoniously dumped on one side, so check the floor also. Luggage tags will be inspected on exiting the airport. How many newbies actually kept their luggage tags?

 

Finally out of the airport, where is the transport? No airport buses, no signposts for public transport. And haven’t we been told prepaid taxis are more expensive? But best just cough up for a prepaid or face a long walk to the new car park or main road where you can try to negotiate a rate which will probably be more than the prepaid cab was anyway. Welcome to Nepal!