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Nepalgunj Airport Mountain Airport illustrationMountain Airport
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KEPmedium airport

Nepalgunj Airport

Nepalgunj, Nepal
Explore Nepalgunj city guide Navigate to this airport
1
Routes out
1
Destinations
VNNG
ICAO
540 ft
Elevation
AirlinesAirports profile

Western Nepal's key gateway linking remote mountain communities.

Location
Nepalgunj, Nepal
Nepalgunj Airport (IATA: KEP, ICAO: VNNG) is a domestic airport serving Nepalgunj, a major city in the Banke District of western Nepal near the Indian border. It functions as an important hub for air connectivity in the mid-western region, providing access to remote areas of Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces that are otherwise difficult to reach by road. The airport handles both scheduled domestic flights and serves as a staging point for mountain and humanitarian flights into some of Nepal's most isolated districts. Airlines operating here connect Nepalgunj to Kathmandu and to numerous smaller airstrips throughout western Nepal, making it a critical lifeline for local communities and trekkers. Nepalgunj Airport is operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). Its strategic location near the Nepal-India border also gives it some regional significance, and the airport has seen periodic infrastructure improvements to handle growing passenger traffic.
Terminals
The airport has a single, modest passenger terminal handling domestic arrivals and departures.
Getting to & from
The airport is located approximately 6 kilometres from Nepalgunj city centre, accessible primarily by taxi and local vehicles.
Airlines here
Nepal Airlines and Tara Air are among the primary carriers operating scheduled services from Nepalgunj, connecting it to Kathmandu and remote western Nepal destinations.
Notable facts
  • ›Serves as a hub for STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) flights to remote mountain airstrips in western Nepal.
  • ›Located close to the Nepal-India border, giving it regional cross-border significance.
  • ›Operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).
  • ›Critical for humanitarian and relief operations in the mid-western and far-western regions of Nepal.
  • ›Elevation is approximately 540 feet (165 metres) above sea level.
Wikipedia
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.

Route map (1 destinations)

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO

Airlines serving this airport

Air Togo
YT
Yeti Airways
YT

Routes

KEP → KTMYT · J41
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City & Place Guide

Gateway to Nepal's wild west and Terai lowlands.

Nepalgunj is a bustling border town in the Lumbini Province of western Nepal, sitting close to the Indian border. It serves primarily as a transit hub for travelers heading to remote mountain districts like Humla, Dolpo, and Jumla, with its airport being one of the busiest domestic aviation hubs in the country.

The city has a vibrant, multicultural character shaped by its mix of Tharu, Muslim, and Hindu communities, reflected in its markets, mosques, and temples. While not a typical tourist destination, Nepalgunj offers an authentic slice of Terai life and makes a practical stopover for adventure travelers and trekkers.

The surrounding Terai region features sal forests, wetlands, and proximity to Bardia National Park, one of Nepal's finest wildlife reserves, making it a useful base for jungle safaris and nature exploration.

  • •Bardia National Park — premier wildlife sanctuary home to tigers, rhinos, and elephants.
  • •Bageshwari Temple — sacred hilltop Hindu shrine with panoramic views over the city.
  • •Nepalgunj Market — colorful bazaar blending Nepali and Indian goods and cultures.
  • •Banke National Park — adjoining protected forest offering wildlife and bird-watching.
  • •Sinja Valley day trip — ancient medieval capital reachable via charter flight from the airport.
  • •Border Crossing Area — lively Indo-Nepal frontier zone with bustling cross-border commerce.

Getting around: Nepalgunj is best navigated by cycle rickshaw or auto-rickshaw for short distances within the city, with tempos running fixed local routes cheaply. Taxis are available for longer trips or airport transfers. No rail service exists, but local buses connect to nearby towns and the Indian border. Rideshare apps are not widely used here.

Best time: October through March offers the most pleasant weather, with cooler temperatures and dry conditions ideal for wildlife spotting in nearby national parks.

Local food: Try dal bhat with wild game curries, Tharu-style fish dishes, and Indian-influenced snacks like samosas and chai at the lively local tea stalls.

This guide is provided for general information only. Verify details locally before making travel decisions.

Passport, Visa & Immigration

Flying internationally via KEP? Check entry, transit and customs requirements for Nepal from official government sources.

Nepal visa & entry information →Embassy & consulate finder →
Nepalgunj Airport
Encyclopaedia

Nepalgunj Airport is a domestic airport serving Nepalgunj, in Banke District, a district in Lumbini Province in Nepal. There are plans by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal to promote the airport to an international airport and establishing immigration, customs and quarantine facilities.

Read full article on Wikipedia

Entity data from open aviation datasets (OurAirports, OpenFlights) with AI-assisted editorial clearly marked. Always confirm time-sensitive details with the official airport website. Sources & verification