# Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM)

> Kathmandu, NP · IATA: KTM · ICAO: VNKT · Large Airport · Cargo Hub

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| IATA | `KTM` |
| ICAO | `VNKT` |
| City | Kathmandu |
| Country | NP |
| Type | Large Airport |
| Elevation | 1338 m |
| Cargo | ✅ |
| GPS | 27.69660, 85.35910 |

## Description

Around 24,000 tonnes of exports and 12,000 tonnes of imports a year is the design capacity of the new cargo complex at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM/VNKT), Nepal's only international gateway for both passengers and goods. The two-level building covers roughly 10,200 square metres and is equipped with weighing scales, racking, forklifts and fire detection; phase one is dimensioned for about 16,000 tonnes of export and 10,000 tonnes of import volume. As a landlocked country, Nepal depends on this single runway for time-critical trade: garments, pashmina, handicrafts and tea dominate exports, while electronics, machinery parts and pharmaceuticals lead the import side. Elevation of about 1,340 metres, a single runway and the terrain of the Kathmandu valley limit which freighter types can serve the airport, so most air cargo actually travels as belly capacity via the Gulf hubs and via Delhi, Guangzhou and Bangkok. Winter fog and the monsoon season cause recurring delays that should be built into delivery schedules. Many shippers use Delhi (DEL) with a truck leg across the Raxaul-Birgunj border, or Kolkata (CCU) via Kakarbhitta, with Nepalese customs applying dedicated transit procedures and documentation. The newer international airports at Gautam Buddha (BWA) near Bhairahawa and Pokhara (PKR) are barely integrated into freight flows so far and are not a substitute for Kathmandu in air cargo terms.

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*Freight Academy — Airport Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/tribhuvan-international-airport-ktm](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/tribhuvan-international-airport-ktm)*

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