Kathmandu, Feb. 1 -- The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has extended the deadline of bids seeking potential firms to operate ground handling services at the upcoming Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa, after only two companies responded to its earlier call. The first deadline ended on Wednesday.

The CAAN has also issued separate bids for a catering service at the airport.

So far, only Nepal Airlines Corporation and India's Bird Group have applied to provide ground handling services at the airport. According to CAAN officials, they are expecting to receive half a dozen proposals within the extended deadline.

According to the Ground Handling Directives 2015, the CAAN can appoint up to two firms through a competitive bid...