Bajhang Airport

<p>Bajhang Airport (IATA: BJH, ICAO: VNBG) is a domestic airfield located in Jayaprithvi Municipality, serving the mountainous Bajhang District within Sudurpashchim Province. Positioned along the banks of the Seti River valley, it functions as a vital remote air transport link connecting the rugged terrain of far-western Nepal to regional hubs. Quick FactsLocation: Jayaprithvi, Bajhang District, Sudurpashchim Province, Nepal Elevation: 1,224 meters (4,015 ft) above sea level Runway: Single asphalt-concrete runway (Designated 06/24), measuring 630 meters (2,067 ft) in length and 20 meters in width Facilities: Small apron capacity accommodating STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) aircraft with solar power and basic passenger facilities Operating Agency: Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) History & SignificanceOriginally opened in October 1976 (often cited as 1978), the airport historically relied on carriers like Nepal Airlines connecting the remote district headquarter of Chainpur. Traffic declined and operations eventually ceased following the expansion of regional road networks into the district. To restore connectivity and boost economic mobility for remote mountain communities, the airfield underwent major infrastructure overhauls—including the blacktopping of its runway to an asphalt-concrete surface. Today, it is designated for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations, serving STOL aircraft types like the DHC-6 Twin Otter and Let L-410 to bridge geographical isolation in western Nepal.</p>