Air passenger movement has been increased by 32 percent in the year of 2006 compared to the previous year. The number rose as Nepali people increasingly left for foreign jobs and more people switched from vehicles to aircraft while traveling within the country.

According to an estimation of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), the number of air passengers at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) stood at 3.12 million for year 2006 recording a 32 percent rise from the 2.3 million passengers of 2005.

This is the highest number ever recorded in the history of civil aviation in Nepal, CAAN said. Domestic air traffic is projected to grow by a staggering 58.8 percent to reach 1.75 million. Movement of international air passengers is estimated at 1.13 million, a 9 percent rise over last year.

According to the continued service expansion by domestic airlines, the past conflict and consequent risks on surface travel pushed up the number of air passengers.

The rise in tourist arrivals and increasing outflow of Nepali workers abroad contributed to the increase in international air passenger movement