Govt formulates flexible provisions for int'l airlines

Keeping in view the greater tourist arrivals during the autumn season, the government has decided to allow international airlines currently flying to Nepal to operate four more flights a week from September 1 till December 31.

According to a newsletter distributed by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), the decision to this effect was made by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation on August 14, 2007 to make flexible provisions for international airlines flying to Nepal .

The airlines will also be free to choose the type of aircraft for these additional flights

However, the new provision will not be applicable unless airlines have utilized the seat capacity and frequency provided by the bilateral air service agreements between Nepal and the concerned countries from where the airlines operate. The government has designated the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), the aviation regulator, to coordinate with concerned aeronautical authorities in respective countries for the increased schedule flights.

According to the NTB, a couple of major international airlines including Thai Airways, Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines have already sought the government's nod to increase frequency and seat capacity. The airlines' interests for increasing frequency and seat capacity match with the rising tourist arrivals to Nepal , as the country witnessed a significant rise of 35.6 percent in visitor arrivals during the first seven months of this year. A total of 193,211 tourists came to Nepal as of July 2007 via air only. nepalnews.com ag Aug 19 07