Simara Airport Faces Severe Operational Disruptions as Daily Passenger Traffic Collapses by Over Seventy Percent Amid Infrastructure Restrictions

Standfirst: Flight operations at Simara Airport in Bara District have contracted significantly, causing daily passenger traffic to drop from 1,500 travelers to just 400 due to aging runway limits and reduced carrier participation.

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The Disruption Details

Flight tracking reports indicate that Simara Airport (SIW), located in the Madhesh Province of southern Nepal, is experiencing major operational constraints. The airport serves as a primary link between Kathmandu and the commercial border regions near India, but aging infrastructure has forced carriers to scale back services. The reduction in schedules has led to a drop of more than 70 percent in daily passenger volumes.

The primary cause of the service reduction is the physical limitation of the airport's runway and parking apron. Under current conditions, turboprop aircraft like the ATR-72 cannot operate at full passenger and cargo capacity. Additionally, the lack of advanced instrument landing systems (ILS) makes the airport vulnerable to weather-related cancellations, particularly during the winter fog season. Scheduled operations are currently maintained primarily by Buddha Air, while other regional airlines have suspended their routes.

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Flight & Airport Impact Breakdown

• Kathmandu (KTM) – Simara (SIW) Corridor: Daily scheduled frequencies have been cut, reducing passenger options on this key domestic link.
• Aircraft Weight Restraints: Turboprop aircraft are restricted from operating at maximum takeoff weight, limiting seat availability on peak flights.
• Terminal Congestion: The small passenger terminal lacks the space to process large crowds when flights are delayed or rescheduled.
• Winter Weather Vulnerability: The absence of precision approach systems results in frequent flight cancellations when visibility drops below visual flight rules (VFR) minimums.

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Passenger Rights & Advisory (Information Gain)

Passengers currently booking or holding tickets for flights to or from Simara Airport must plan for potential schedule changes and utilize the following travel guidelines:

• Refund Policies Under CAAN Rules: Under the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) guidelines, if a carrier cancels a flight or delays it by more than one hour due to weather or operational issues, passengers are entitled to a full ticket refund without penalty, or free rebooking on the next available flight.
• Baggage Allowances: Because weight limits are strictly enforced on ATR flights departing Simara, pack light. Keep checked luggage within the 15 kg limit to prevent your bags from being offloaded to a later flight.
• Overland Routing Options: If your flight is cancelled due to weather, consider traveling by road. The journey from Bara District to Kathmandu via the BP Highway takes approximately 5 to 6 hours by taxi or shared jeep. Travelers should monitor road updates via the Nepal Police social media channels before departing.

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Industry Analyst View

Our analysis indicates that the reduction in services at Simara Airport highlights the infrastructure gap in Nepal's domestic aviation network. While the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has prioritized international airport developments, domestic gateways like Simara require immediate runway resurfacing and terminal upgrades to remain viable. Without modern navigational aids and runway expansions, regional carriers will continue to reallocate their turboprop fleets to better-equipped airports, limiting economic mobility in Madhesh Province.

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Data Table

Simara Airport (SIW) Operational Constraints

Operational Metric	Previous Capacity Peak	Current Status (2026)	Primary Limiting Factor
Daily Passenger Volume	~1,500 Passengers	~400 Passengers	Reduced carrier flight frequencies
Scheduled Operators	Multiple Regional Carriers	Buddha Air (Primary)	Lack of apron space and route profitability
Flight Navigation Mode	Visual Flight Rules (VFR)	Visual Flight Rules (VFR)	No Instrument Landing System (ILS)
ATR-72 Payload Limit	Full Capacity	Restricted Takeoff Weight	Short runway length

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FAQ

Why are there fewer flights to Simara Airport?

Airlines have reduced flights due to runway weight restrictions, limited aircraft parking space, and the lack of advanced navigation systems for low-visibility operations.

What are my transit options if my Simara flight is cancelled?

Passengers can request a full refund from their airline or book overland transport to Kathmandu via the BP Highway, which takes about 5 to 6 hours.

Are ATR-72 aircraft allowed to land at Simara?

Yes, but they are subject to takeoff weight restrictions, meaning they cannot operate with a load of passengers and cargo.

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