By Rick M 
President Ramchandra Paudel is to leave Kathmandu today for Baku, Azerbaijan to participate in the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). The president’s journey for change comes at a time when Nepali aviation industry face many problems, and the country’s determination to participate in climate change talks.
The president’s exit from the Tribhuvan International Airport looks quite different to what common citizens experience now. Since November 8, the airport has closed for 10 hours each day, every day from 10 pm to 8 am. Lifts and catwalks are currently limited from September 1, 2014, to March 31, 2025, as part of a project to increase the airport’s taxiways.
This conduction of operations with shorter working hours has a direct adverse effect; severe indeed. Despite this, air ticket prices to the popular sectors have soared high; a one-way Kathmandu-Delhi ticket has gone up to Rs 80, 000. This price hike is not isolated to a particular route/sector; all the sectors have reflected the same and this has been concerning many travelers and the tourism industry.
At Tribhuvan International Airport, construction work involves two taxiway constructions in parallel to each other. The airport is constructing a new taxiway 1,140 meters long on the southern part of the runway that will link the international apron to the terminal of runway 02. But also, in the foreseeable future, there will be a parallel taxiway from the northern end measuring 450 meters long. These changes are projected to create positive long-term structural changes to the airport’s capacity and functionality.
Nonetheless, the timing of this construction has sparked hairs from tourist entrepreneurs. Opponents note, for example, that it is disorganized and will thus continue through March, the start of spring’s tourism high season. Due to reduction in flight capacity this has resulted to the increase slot to tickets sold to foreign tourist in as much as one year in advance.
However, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has tried to ease the pressure of demand by instructing international airlines to get flights from two international airports, Pokhara and Bhairahawa. However, the players have demonstrated resistance, especially the airlines, on the grounds of technical and, most importantly, financial feasibility. This situation has derailed relations between the aviation authority and international airlines.
When President Paudel is stepping into COP29, Nepal’s climate issues and the burden of these domestic aviation issues follow him. The conference being held in Baku gives Nepal a chance to participate in climate discussions, probably in the hope of helping and making decisions that would indirectly help to upgrade Nepali aviation and other infrastructures of the country.
Participation of the president in COP29 shows the Nation’s seriousness on climatic change, which is a crucial factor for Nepal. This is why it is important for Nepal to speak out on such an international platform, as the country is one of the most affected by climate change. The discussions in Baku might have many valuable and potential lessons to learn more about sustainable development, Nepalese future infrastructure -development projects, and aviation infrastructure development.
While the president diplomatic tours Nepal tourism board has downgraded them expecting a tourist arrival of 1.1 million for 2024 from earlier estimated 1.3 million all because of the airport. This reduction shows the sensitive nature of infrastructure development for transportation and communication and tourism which is one the major segments of Nepalese economy.
While Nepal continues to face such issues, the results of airport expansion project as well as the climate conference in Baku will be seen. They both speak to what is required of the country in terms of development – better infrastructure and fighting climate change. President Paudel’s journey today represents Nepal’s commitment to move forward on both counts even though the going has been turbulent on both fronts.