Pokhara, 19 February | Nepal Oil Corporation Limited has officially commenced aviation fuel refilling services at Bharatpur Airport in Chitwan starting from Wednesday, marking a significant improvement in regional air connectivity and passenger convenience. Executive Director Dr. Chandika Prasad Bhattarai explained that the decision to launch the refilling counters came in response to the steadily increasing volume of air traffic and passenger demand at this domestic airport. He stressed that the primary objective behind introducing on-site refueling is to eliminate the inconvenience previously faced by passengers due to fuel-related operational limitations ensuring smoother and more reliable flight schedules for everyone traveling through Bharatpur.
According to the Corporation currently eight daily flights operate from Bharatpur connecting primarily to Kathmandu with some partial services extending to Pokhara. Dr. Bhattarai assured that adequate arrangements have now been made so aircraft can refuel as required without prior constraints thereby optimizing flight operations. Spokesperson Manoj Kumar Thakur further detailed that two dedicated refilling counters have been established at the airport capable of supplying up to 22,000 liters of aviation fuel per day. For the time being the service is being managed by six staff members deputed from the Corporation’s Sinamangal office in Kathmandu but plans are underway to strengthen the local team as demand grows.
Buddha Air Station Manager Bhakta Bahadur Basnet welcomed the development saying it resolves a long-standing logistical challenge for airlines. Previously aircraft had to carry extra fuel from Kathmandu reducing payload capacity and limiting the number of passengers that could be accommodated on each flight. With refueling now available locally planes no longer need to arrive with full tanks from the capital allowing them to carry additional travelers and making operations far more efficient and cost-effective for both airlines and passengers. This change is expected to boost tourism domestic travel and overall economic activity in Chitwan district as well as nearby regions by making air travel more accessible affordable and punctual.
The introduction of aviation fuel services at Bharatpur represents a practical step forward in decentralizing essential airport infrastructure away from the overburdened Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. It reflects growing recognition of the need to support regional airports in handling increased domestic aviation traffic particularly as more people opt for quicker air travel over lengthy road journeys. Local stakeholders and frequent flyers have long awaited such facility and its timely rollout is likely to encourage airlines to expand routes frequencies and seating capacity in the coming months thereby contributing to balanced regional development across Nepal’s central Tarai belt.
