Darchula Airport (DAP)

Darchula Airport (DAP), also known as Gokuleshwor Airport, is a historic and currently non-operational aviation facility located in the Sudurpashchim Province of far-western Nepal. Situated in the rugged terrain of the Darchula District near the Mahakali River, the airport was once a critical link for one of the most isolated regions of the Himalayas. For decades, it provided the only rapid means of transportation for residents and government officials traveling to the national capital, Kathmandu, and other provincial centers. The airport's physical infrastructure is a quintessential example of a high-altitude STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) airstrip. It features a single runway designated as 06/24, measuring just 590 meters in length and 30 meters in width. The surface is composed of clay and grass, designed to accommodate small, rugged aircraft like the de Havilland Canada Twin Otter or Pilatus Porter. The airfield is situated at an elevation of approximately 2,400 feet, surrounded by steep mountain ridges that require exceptional pilot skill for navigation. While the airport once featured basic passenger facilities, including a small waiting area and a flight information office, it has been inactive since regular operations ceased in January 1986. Today, the terminal building and runway are no longer maintained for commercial traffic, and the site lacks modern amenities such as refueling, rescue services, or lighting. The suspension of air services has forced the local community to rely entirely on arduous overland journeys via the Mahakali Highway, or by crossing the border into India to access larger regional hubs. Despite its current status, Darchula Airport remains a significant landmark in the region's transportation history. It once played a vital role in the delivery of emergency medical supplies and the facilitation of regional administration near the sensitive border with India. The approach to the airstrip offers breathtaking views of the Api and Nampa mountain ranges, capturing the dramatic beauty of Nepal's western frontier. While there are periodic discussions regarding its rehabilitation to boost local tourism and emergency readiness, the airfield currently stands as a silent witness to the challenges of Himalayan aviation.