Definition
Rajbiraj Airport is a domestic public airport serving the town of Rajbiraj and the surrounding region in Saptari District, Province No. 2, Nepal.
Overview
The airport is operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) and provides scheduled air service primarily to Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. The airport’s IATA code is RJB and its ICAO code is VNRB. It functions as a regional hub for the eastern Terai belt of Nepal, facilitating passenger travel, cargo transport, and emergency services. After a period of inactivity, the airport was renovated and reopened for commercial flights in 2018, with Nepal Airlines and Buddha Air among the carriers offering regular services.
Etymology/Origin
The name “Rajbiraj” derives from the town it serves. The town’s name is believed to combine the Nepali words “Raj” (king) and “Biraj,” which may reference a historical figure or local ruler; however, precise linguistic origins are not definitively documented. Consequently, the airport’s name follows the conventional practice of naming airports after their host municipalities.
Characteristics
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Rajbiraj, Saptari District, Province No. 2, Nepal (approximately 5 km north of the town centre) |
| Elevation | Approximately 236 ft (72 m) above mean sea level |
| Runway | One runway designated 06/24; length about 1,500 m (4,921 ft); surface type reported as asphalt (accurate information is not confirmed). |
| Facilities | Small passenger terminal building, basic passenger handling services, and limited aircraft parking apron. Navigation aids are limited to visual flight rules (VFR) operations; instrument landing systems are not installed. |
| Operator | Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) |
| Airlines (as of latest available data) | Nepal Airlines, Buddha Air (subject to change based on airline schedules). |
| Annual Traffic | Passenger numbers are modest, reflecting the airport’s role as a regional connector; specific figures vary year to year and are not comprehensively published. |
Related Topics
- Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal
- List of airports in Nepal
- Saptari District
- Nepal Airlines
- Buddha Air
- Transportation in Nepal
Note: All presented information reflects the most reliable publicly available sources as of the latest update. Where precise data (e.g., runway surface material) could not be definitively verified, the entry indicates the uncertainty.