Nepal and India on Thursday signed a Memorandum of  Understanding (MoU) for review of Air Service Agreement (ASA) and a technical accord, a part of the MoU, which follows the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s norms.

As per the understanding, the weekly seat capacity has been increased to 30,000 from the existing 6,000.  This step can safely be expected to give a whole new boost to tourism as well as trade between the two neighbouring countries.

Importantly three new points have been granted to Nepal, namely Dehra Dun, Gorakhpur and Bagdogra and for India, Pokhara, Lumbini, Biratnagar, Nepalgunj, Janakpur, Dhangadi and Bhairahawa have been added.

However, within their overall capacity entitlements, the designated airlines of Nepal shall be entitled to operate not exceeding 10,000 seats per week to/from Mumbai and Bangalore each and not exceeding 15,000 seats per week to/from Delhi. This restriction will become null and void from January 1, 2011.

Regarding the revised Route Schedule, the Nepali delegation stated that barring Kathmandu, there is no other airport in Nepal which is suitable for operation of international flights.  

“As such, the designated airlines of India would be in a position to operate to these points as and when these airports are made available for international operations.  The Indian delegation expressed similar views in regard to operations by the designated airlines of Nepal to Dehra Dun and Gorakhpur, while Bagdogra is operational,” said Nepali officials.

Additionally, Nepal can operate its flights to 21 other smaller centres in India like Goa, Amritsar, Thiruvanthapuram, Vishakhapatnam and Kochi. Earlier, the nation had got only seven points.

India has also agreed to grant fifth freedom traffic rights to Nepal. As per this rule, any third country-bound Nepali flights are eligible to take passengers from any of these destinations in India.

In an attempt to improve aviation communication in Nepal, India has agreed to install VSAT at the Tribhuvan International Airport. The new understandings are expected to help the government to meet its target to bring in one million visitors for Nepal Tourism Year 2011.

The new arrangement has also opened new vistas for cargo services. “The designated airlines of each country shall be entitled to operate any number of all-cargo services between each other’s territory with any type of aircraft with full third, fourth and fifth freedom traffic rights. Such all-cargo services may also be operated under co-operative marketing arrangements such as code sharing blocked space,” said the MoU.

The Nepal-India ASA was signed on June 5, 1997.

The Indian delegation was led by Madhavan Nambiar, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, while the Nepali side was led by Nagendra Prasad Ghimire, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation, Government of Nepal. nepalnews.com

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