Nepal Urges International Status for Saidpur Airport to Boost Regional Tourism

The proposal was discussed during a high-level meeting on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the Bangladesh Secretariat, where Nepalese Ambassador Ghanshyam Bhandari met with Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam (Rita) and State Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat.

The meeting focused on revitalizing aviation and tourism cooperation between the two South Asian neighbors. Ambassador Bhandari emphasized that upgrading the airport in Nilphamari would facilitate direct flights between Saidpur and Kathmandu, a long-standing project that had been delayed due to previous political transitions. By establishing this route, both nations aim to create a "tourism corridor" that would significantly benefit travelers from northern Bangladesh and Nepal.

In addition to infrastructure upgrades, the discussions covered the following key areas:

Airfare Rationalization: Both parties agreed on the need to keep ticket prices for the Dhaka-Kathmandu route within a reasonable range to encourage a higher volume of general tourists.

Aviation Cooperation: The ministers assured the Nepalese delegation of full support in expanding aviation facilities and streamlining regulatory processes for regional carriers.

Tourism Exchange: Plans were discussed to launch joint promotional campaigns to highlight Himalayan trekking and Bangladesh's coastal and heritage sites.

Minister Afroza Khanam reaffirmed the government's commitment to prioritizing the Saidpur internationalization project, viewing it as a strategic gateway for the BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) sub-regional cooperation framework. This move is expected to not only boost tourism but also enhance trade and people-to-people contact in the northern region.