Nepal extends international flights suspension until May 31

 As the number of death caused by Covid-19 is scaling new high everyday, Nepal has decided to extend the suspension of international commercial flights to and from Kathmandu by another 17 days.

The flight suspension, which was due to expire on May 14,  will remain in place until May 31 midnight, confirmed Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).

But two flights a week on Kathmandu-New Delhi route will remain operational as usual under the Air Bubble Arrangement between two countries, a press note issued by the CAAN reads, adding that the Kathmandu-New Delhi flights will see one flight each by Nepal Airlines and Air India.

The CAAN, in its press note, also directed the airlines companies not to open new booking to and from Nepal until further notice. "Airlines are informed to facilitate refunding of air tickets or extension of travel date as required by passengers,” the press note reads, adding that Nepal had suspended all international flights except two flights per week from New Delhi under the air bubble agreement, from May 6 midnight till May 14. Nepal decided to halt all domestic flights from May 3 midnight and all international flights from May 7 midnight until May 14 to check the rapidly growing spread of the Covid-19.

The cabinet had decided to halt all domestic flights from the May 3 midnight as recommended by the Crisis Management Centre (CCMC) but this time, the government has not yet decided to either open or keep closed the domestic flights.