KATHMANDU: Pokhara, Biratnagar, Gautam Buddha (Bhairahawa), Nepalgunj, and Chandragadhi airports saw the highest passenger traffic in Nepal in 2025.

According to data released by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) on domestic passenger movement and flight operations, Pokhara Airport recorded the highest number of passengers outside Kathmandu.

A total of 427,414 passengers arrived and 459,370 departed from Pokhara, bringing the total passenger movement to 886,784.

Biratnagar Airport handled 735,525 passengers, Gautam Buddha Airport in Bhairahawa saw 729,097, Nepalgunj recorded 535,920, and Chandragadhi Airport saw 395,038 passengers during the year.

These five airports accounted for a major share of domestic air traffic.

In terms of flight operations, Lukla’s Tenzing-Hillary Airport led the list with 33,420 flights, followed by Pokhara with 26,782, Nepalgunj with 13,434, Gautam Buddha with 11,931, and Biratnagar with 11,692 flights.

Meanwhile, remote airports continue to witness low traffic.

Ilam’s Sukilumba Airport recorded just 87 passengers on 12 flights, Bajhang had 127 passengers on 14 flights, Achham’s Safebagar handled 380 passengers on 80 flights, Rumjatar saw 638 passengers on 98 flights, and Thamkhark had 633 passengers on 98 flights.

CAAN Deputy Spokesperson Gyanendra Bhul said domestic air travel continues to grow steadily, with two-way passenger traffic particularly high at Pokhara, Lukla, Bhairahawa, Biratnagar, and Nepalgunj airports.