KATHMANDU: At Phalgunanda Sukilumba Airport in Ilam, regular flights have returned following a few-month break. Initial plans called for flights to resume last Thursday; however, a tragic incident involving passenger deaths caused a delay.
The Nepal Airlines in-charge at Sukilumba Airport, Dinesh Sundas, verified that flights resumed on Thursday morning. There were sufficient passengers for the resumption to be possible. Eight people left Ilam for Kathmandu on the return trip, while six passengers arrived in Ilam from Kathmandu on the initial flight.
The airline Nepal Airlines operates a 27-seater aircraft to and from Sukilumba Airport, situated in Ilam Municipality-9. To service the route, the airline has regular flights scheduled for every Thursday.
Travel arrangements had been affected by the flight halt, which occurred during the monsoon season and lasted for almost three and a half months. Passengers going to and from the area will profit from the return of services, particularly with important holidays like Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath coming up.
It is anticipated that the advent of this service will make flying to and from Kathmandu easier for residents of eastern Nepal's hill districts as well as visitors from nearby areas like Sikkim and Mirik in India.
It is expected that the return of flights will enhance connection and offer much-needed ease to locals and visitors alike.
Resuming airplane operations is generally viewed as a good thing for the locals and tourists alike, as it increases connection and travel possibilities.