Sita Air has conducted a test flight at the Tarigaon airport located in Tulsipur sub-metropolitan city-12 of Dang. Sita Air’s 19-seater aircraft with call sign A-AJH landed at the airport on Friday. Landing of the plane was tested from both the west and east side. Captain Rabindra Dangol, who carried out the test flight, said it was easy to land the plane from both sides. Dangol said some tall trees, water tanks as well as increased bird activity are likely to pose challenges for take-off and landing at the airport, which needs to be addressed. Rajendra Bahadur Singh of Sita Air said that the regular flights shall take place only after the detailed report about the test flight is received.

Mayor of Tulsipur sub-metropolitan city, Tikaram Khadka, said regular flights will end the compulsion of having to go to Nepalgunj and Bhairahawa for flights. Presently, Nepal Airlines Corporation is flying to Tulsipur four days a week. A fuel depot has also been established at the Tarigaon airport. Fares are expected to decrease with the operation of private airlines. Meanwhile, efforts are also being made to expand the existing runway, which is 750 meters long and 30 meters wide.