Well someone had to write about this. So here you go. As of now, Tribhuwan International Airport in the capital of Nepal is the only international airport of the nation while the other two are in construction process and will be completed very soon. Soon, people of Nepal will not have to travel all the way to the capital for their international departures.
Here, let’s talk about the international departure procedures at the Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA). Basically, the airports overall follows the same procedure worldwide with hardly any differences. However, if you are traveling to Australia, USA, Gulf countries and so on from Nepal for the first time then this might come handy.
The Kathmandu Airport (TIA) is hands down one of the smallest international airports around the globe. No wonder, it is always crowded and busy from outside the premises to whole activity areas inside.
As you reach at the international terminal sector of the airport. You will have to pass through the normal security with all your documents and baggage to get inside the building. It is normal security check, you might need to show your passport and tickets to the security. There are two entry points A and B to the building and many passengers come up with the question like ' is there a separate line or an entry for students and foreign employment and son on'. Well the answer is ‘No’, you can use any of the gates.
Check-in
Moving on from the gates after the security check will lead you straight to the check-in area. You will find the row of check-in counters of different airlines over there. Each airline holds 3 counters at time being. Many people are confused here about their airline counters. There are display boards above each counter which displays the airline's logos. So you can easily find the check-in counter of your airline.
Having said that, passengers often are confused and could not find their airline counters. This might happens if you are ahead of the time the counter opens. The check-in counters for every airlines opens 3 hour prior to their flight departure time. So if your flight departs at 05:00 then the counter opens from 02:00 only. Remember, the check-in counter only opens for two hours or so at times. So you have to get your boarding pass between them.
At check-in, you will get your boarding pass and submit your baggage there if you have any. Don’t forget to take you baggage tag along with your boarding pass at the counter. You might want to ask for the fragile sticker for you baggage at the check-in counter if you have any fragile items inside your bag. Not only that, you should ask about the things that should are allowed to be carried to the foreign lands, there might be some stuffs that should not be carried while you travel to different countries m, so you might want to be aware about that.
You might have to show your passport, visa and your ticket at the check-in counter. At times, you might also need to show other documents that you might require for your travel like No objection certificate, invitation letters and so on.
While it seems there are a lots of things to be done at the check-in counter but it is a simple process. On top of that, the airlines staffs or the check-in staffs will guide you throughout the process until you get your boarding pass. You just have to be there in time with all the required documents.
Immigration
Next up is the immigration. As you get your boarding pass, you will have to use and escalator to the next floor where you will find the immigration.
The immigration is crowded most of the times. You might have to stay in a long queue for your turn. So it is better if you head straight into the immigration process as soon as you are done with the check-in process and get your boarding pass. There are different lines at the immigration like for student visa passengers, visit visa passengers and so on. Most probably, there will be a staff to guide you.
At immigration, you just have to keep your cool and wait for your turn. When your turn finally comes just show all of your documents that are required for your travel. They might ask you few of the questions. Just be calm and answer all of them honestly and you are good to go. No pressure. While immigration has the authority to hold you. As hard as it seems, as easier it is.
As soon as you clear the immigration, then you will find a small lounge with TVs and cafeteria, smoking zone, restrooms along with the security check area. If you still have time for your flight then you can wait and relax on the couch. Take time, freshen up, have coffee and chips, use free wifi to call up your friends and family but at the same time be aware about the flight time and pay attention to each announcements made. Airlines will make their boarding announcements when the time has come. You can also find the display board at the lounge where you will find the list of airlines and their activities whether they have started boarding or not.
Now head on to the security. A normal security check, two separate lines for men and women. Before heading on the boarding area, you might want to buy snacks and foods at the lounge area, in case if you don’t find any cafeteria in the boarding zone.
Boarding
After passing the security, you will reach at the final stage, the boarding area. The boarding area is filled with seats and nothing interesting. There are five boarding gates as of now ( they might increase that later). Each boarding gate has a display board above them where they will show the boarding status of the particular airline. So if any airlines is conducting the boarding process, you can check on the display board. Other than that, you can hear frequent announcements of the boarding for different airlines here, so pay attention to those announcements.
Many people are often confused about the announcements and boarding gates and passengers tend to join the wrong line. So if you are confused for a bit, you can ask any staffs over there, they will guide you. You can also find about the boarding gates of different flights at the separate display boards.
At boarding gate, you will need to show your boarding pass to the staff and they will clear you for the boarding. As you pass the boarding gate, you will be lead to a ramp bus which will lead you straight to your aircraft. Note: walking freely around the ramp are to your flight is not allowed, so be careful on that. Only at times, if guided by the staffs then you are allowed.
Other than that, you might need to wait at times during your boarding because passengers might not arrive on time.
So here you go. If you are heading for the departure. Have a nice flight.
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