Tribhuvan International Airport, International airport in Kathmandu, Nepal
Tribhuvan International Airport sits in the Kathmandu valley and serves as the central air gateway for Nepal, with two separate terminal buildings. One terminal handles domestic connections to mountain regions and towns, while the other receives traffic from abroad and serves travelers from several continents.
The facility began operations in 1949 under the name Gauchaur Airport after a small propeller plane completed the first landing. Later in 1955 the site received its current name in honor of the king at that time, and the terminal has since grown steadily with international passenger traffic.
The airport serves as the main entry point for travelers visiting Nepal's temples, monasteries, and mountaineering destinations including Mount Everest.
The site offers basic services such as free wireless access, counters to exchange currency, and fixed fares for taxi rides into central Kathmandu. Information about bus routes to the city can be found at the exit of the arrivals hall, and several routes run regularly during the day.
The runway sits at an elevation above 1300 meters, which forces pilots to apply special techniques to account for thinner air and nearby mountain ranges. Aircraft need longer distances to take off and land than at sea-level facilities, making operations here more demanding.
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