April 14, Kathmandu- Final preparations have been started to fly the ship at Falgunand Sukilumba Airport under construction in Ilam with the New Year 2078 BS. It is said that preparations are being made for the landing of the ship as soon as the blacktop work is completed on the runway of Ilam Municipality-9, Golakharka.

The 670-meter-long and 20-meter-wide runway of the airport has been tarred. A similar terminal building has also been constructed, said Civil Aviation Authority Engineer Vinay Bhattarai. "Big work has been completed. Marking on the pitch, side alignment, and construction of roadside dyke are yet to be done," said Bhattarai. ”

According to Bhattarai, the necessary bases including a permanent terminal building and a place for security guards are being constructed. A successful test flight of Tara Air had flown at this airport on Jestha  21, 2075. About Rs 280 million has been spent so far on the airport, which is being tarred at a cost of Rs 90 million. Within the contract of Rs. 90 million, the work of dent and retaining wall is left.

The foundation stone of the airport under construction at 328 Ropani was laid by the then Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal on Chaitra 13, 2067. The construction process of the airport was started here in 2058 BS. The people of the district and the then-District Development Committee, Ilam Municipality, VDC, and other donors had collected Rs. 100 to Rs. 20,000 for the construction of the airport.

According to experts, TwinAir and similar aircraft can be flown to and from the airport at an altitude of 1,300 meters. The Ilam Municipality has sent a letter to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation on  Chaitra 23 requesting to start landing the aircraft.

"A lot of work has been completed. We have asked the ministry to make arrangements for immediate flight as some work is being done gradually," said Ilam Municipality Chief Mahesh Basnet.

After the launch of the flight in Ilam, the journey from Ilam to Kathmandu will be easier for the citizens of Panchthar, Taplejung, Sikkim, and Darjeeling, even though it is a hilly district. Ganesh Baral, chief of the district coordination committee, said that the construction of the airport is expected to open new possibilities for the promotion of tourism, the economic sector, and the prosperity of the district.