Introduction to Airport
Engineering
Lecture Note by:
Mr. Guru Datta Adhikari
Airport Consultant
History of Civil Aviation in Nepal
• 1949: The date heralded the formal beginning of aviation in Nepal
• 1950: The first Charter flight By Himalayan Aviation Dakota From Goucher to
Kolkata.
• 1955: King Mahendra inaugurated Gauchar Airport and renamed it as Tribhuwan
Airport
• 1957: Grassy runway transformed into a concrete one
• 1958: Royal Nepal Airlines started scheduled service domestically and externally
• 1959: RNAC fully owned by HMG/N as a public undertaking.
• 1960: Nepal Attained ICAO membership
• 1964: Tribhuvan Airport renamed as Tribhuvan International Airport.
• 1967: The 3750 feet long runway extended to 6600 feet.
• 1975: TIA runway extended to 10000 feet from the previous 6600 feet
History of Civil Aviation in Nepal
• 1990: New International terminal Building Of TIA inaugurated by king Birendra
• 1993: National Civil Aviation Policy Promulgated.
• 2004: Domestic operation by jet aircraft commenced.
• 2005: International Flight by two private operator began.
• 2007: Site identified for a new second international airport.
• 2013: Installation of CNS & ATM Equipment at TIA to enhance ATC Capacity
• 2014: Commencement of Installation of Terminal Monopoles Secondary
Surveillance Radar (T-MSSR) at TIA and enroute MSSR at Bhatedanda
• 2015: Gautam Buddha International Airport foundation stone laid down
• 2016: Pokhara Regional/Intl’ Airport Construction Foundation Stone Laid down
Airport Status in Nepal
Role and Function of MoCTCA
• Prepare and implement policies, plans as international practices and
trends
• Decision making role for development of new projects
• Decision making role for major improvement of airports
• Prepare and implement act and regulation
• Strategic Plan
Role and Function of CAAN
• Planning and design
• Construction and Maintenance of Airports
• Upgradation of airports
• Operation of airports
• Training and capacity enhancement program
• Safety monitoring and regulation
• Air navigation and facilitation
• Aviation security
• Rule and monitor general aviation
• Improvement of airports with ICAO compliance
• Aerodrome Certification
Main Function of CAAN
• Permitting Airlines Operation
• Airworthiness Certification and Manpower Licensing/Rating
• Regulating Air Transport, Air Navigation Services and Aerodromes as
per ICAO SARPs
• Constructing, Operating and maintaining airports
• Equipping and maintaining airports with necessary communication and
navigational facilities
• Operation of safe, efficient and expeditious flight.
Role and Function of ICAO
• Training and capacity enhancement program
• Safety monitoring and regulation
• Aerodrome Certification
• Promotes safe and orderly development of international civil aviation
throughout the world
• Sets standards and regulations necessary for
• Global civil aviation safety
• Global civil aviation security
• Global civil aviation efficiency and regularity
• global aviation environmental protection & Sustainable Development of Air
Transport
• Serves as forum for cooperation in all fields of civil aviation among 191
Member States
• Publish regulations, standards, procedures and Guidance Materials
Economic Role of Airports
• Direct Impact
• Indirect impact
• Induced Impact
• Catalytic Impact
Economic & Political Role of Airports
• Air transport facilitates world trade
• Air transport is indispensable for tourism
• Air transport boosts productivity across the global economy
• Air transport improves the efficiency of the supply chain
• Air transport is an enabler of investment both into and out of countries and regions
• Air transport can act as a spur to innovation
• Air transport provides consumer welfare benefits to individuals
• 70% of businesses say that a key benefit of using air services is the ability to serve a bigger
market.
• On average, 25% of companies’ sales are dependent on air services.
• Tourism accounts directly for 3.8% of world GDP
• Around 40% of international tourists now travel by air
• Air transport is a significant tax payer
Social Role of Airports
• Air transport contributes to sustainable development
• Air transport provides access to remote areas
• Air transport contributes to consumer welfare
• Air transport delivers humanitarian aid
End of Chapter one
