Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Lokendra Bista Magar on Thursday carried out a field inspection of some of the airports of the Far Western region that are not operational since some time.

Talking to local residents and journalists at Dadeldhura district this afternoon, he informed that Patan airport of Baitadi district will come into operation within a month and a half time.

The airport in Baitadi has been shutdown due to technical problems and repair works for the past some time.

Minister Magar said he will also inspect Mahendranagar airport of Kanchanpur, Gokuleswor airport of Darchula, and the Tikapur airport of Kailali during his visit to the region.

Meanwhile, a massive fire swept through the grassy field adjacent to the runway of the Dhangadhi airport in far-western Nepal Thursday afternoon.

Fire brigade mobilised immediately after the incident managed to control the fire after half an hour, Kailai police said.

However, flights to and from the airport were not cancelled as the fire had been taken under control without any damage to the runway or the tower.

Only two flights were sheduled for Dhangadhi airport in the afternoon.

Earlier this month, the domestic and international flights to and from the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) were cancelled for hours after massive fire swept through the grassy field on the eastern side of the runway. nepalnews.com