Two newly installed luggage conveyor belts have come into operation at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu.

The reputation of Nepal’s sole international airport (TIA) had been sullied due to the delay in delivering baggage to the passengers. Prior to this, there were only two old conveyor belts processing the luggage and a temporary belt installed earlier in October last year was a one-way system.

From now on, the air passengers arriving at TIA won’t have to wait for hours to claim their luggage.

According to TIA General Manager Devanand Upadhyay, the newly installed conveyor belts would be operated from 5 pm on Friday. Tourism Minister will inaugurate the belts. 

The delay in replacing the belts had affected a large number of travellers as they had to wait for hours to receive their luggage.

The work to replace the belts was delayed by the devastating earthquake and the subsequent trade embargo imposed by India. The belts were stranded at Kolkata port following the blockade. A Spanish contractor, Constructora Sanjose, had been awarded the contract to install the new conveyor belts.

The airport officials have claimed that the passengers won’t have to wait for more than 45 minutes to receive their luggage.

According to the rules of International Civil Aviation Authority, air passengers should get their luggage within 50 minutes.