The Airlines Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) has demanded the government to reduce the price of aviation fuel for the domestic air service.
As the government is preparing to resume domestic flights that have been suspended since March 22 due to fear of Covid-19 transmission while traveling, the operators have today asked – issuing a press note – the government to revise the price of aviation fuel downwards.
“As the government has asked to operate the flights maintaining the physical distance, the flights will have only half passenger,” the association said, adding that flying with half the seat-capacity of the aircraft will not be possible. The association has also suggested the Ministry for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation to lobby for letting aircraft operate as per their capacity, make arrangements so that air crew do not have to be quarantined in the destination, let taxi and other public vehicles along with hotels and restaurants operate.
Likewise, the association has suggested the government to start operation of domestic flights – in phases – starting from July 1. “In the first phase, the flights to the mountainous districts should be operated,” the association recommended, whereas flights to the Terai region should be started in the second phase. “The dates will be, though, fixed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), the domestic carriers are ready to start operation, provided, the government reduce aviation fuel price.”
Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has priced aviation fuel – popularly known as aviation turbine fuel (ATF) – at Rs 65 per liter, whereas the price of fossil fuel has decreased in recent months. The state oil monopoly has not revised the fuel prices since last couple of months as the government has imposed lock down to contain the spread of coronavirus (covid-19). The NOC fixes price according to the price reference set by the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) that send the price list every fortnight.
The association has also suggested the government to sell aviation fuel with only Rs 10 profit per liter for NOC to make the airline service accessible and beneficial. “If the aviation fuel’s price is not revised downwards, the operators will not be able to operate air service,” the association clarified.
Though, the government has – in the budget for fiscal year 2020-21 – announced the exemption of infrastructure development charge on aviation fuel and removal of customs duty, the price of aviation fuel still is higher based on the revised price list sent by the IOC.
As the government is preparing to resume domestic flights that have been suspended since March 22 due to fear of Covid-19 transmission while traveling, the operators have today asked – issuing a press note – the government to revise the price of aviation fuel downwards.
“As the government has asked to operate the flights maintaining the physical distance, the flights will have only half passenger,” the association said, adding that flying with half the seat-capacity of the aircraft will not be possible. The association has also suggested the Ministry for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation to lobby for letting aircraft operate as per their capacity, make arrangements so that air crew do not have to be quarantined in the destination, let taxi and other public vehicles along with hotels and restaurants operate.
Likewise, the association has suggested the government to start operation of domestic flights – in phases – starting from July 1. “In the first phase, the flights to the mountainous districts should be operated,” the association recommended, whereas flights to the Terai region should be started in the second phase. “The dates will be, though, fixed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), the domestic carriers are ready to start operation, provided, the government reduce aviation fuel price.”
Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has priced aviation fuel – popularly known as aviation turbine fuel (ATF) – at Rs 65 per liter, whereas the price of fossil fuel has decreased in recent months. The state oil monopoly has not revised the fuel prices since last couple of months as the government has imposed lock down to contain the spread of coronavirus (covid-19). The NOC fixes price according to the price reference set by the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) that send the price list every fortnight.
The association has also suggested the government to sell aviation fuel with only Rs 10 profit per liter for NOC to make the airline service accessible and beneficial. “If the aviation fuel’s price is not revised downwards, the operators will not be able to operate air service,” the association clarified.
Though, the government has – in the budget for fiscal year 2020-21 – announced the exemption of infrastructure development charge on aviation fuel and removal of customs duty, the price of aviation fuel still is higher based on the revised price list sent by the IOC.
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