Kakarbhitta, Dec. 6 -- The government has started work to upgrade two airports in the eastern region to international standard to allow cross-border flights to Bangladesh and India.

According to Tourism Minister Yogesh Bhattarai, Bhadrapur and Biratnagar airports will be made regional international airports from where services will operate to Saidpur Airport in Bangladesh. Bhadrapur or Biratnagar to Saidpur is a 20-minute hop by plane.

Saidpur is one of the most important economic zones in Bangladesh. In 2018, the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry of Bangladesh started work to upgrade the airport to international class.

The 1,800-metre runway will be lengthened to 3,700 metres, making it one of the longest runways in Bangladesh. Two ...