AOAN seeks action against people who roughed up chopper pilot

Airline Operators asked the government to take action against those, who attacked the pilot of a chopper today.

Issuing a press note Airline Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) denounced the attack on a senior pilot, who has been serving the nation in thick and thin. “The Home Ministry, Chief District Officer (CDO) and security agencies must take action against those involved in the thrashing of pilot,” the press note reads, asking for security of the airline staffers.

The locals have roughed up a senior captain Ranesh Dangol and the passengers of Prabhu Air chopper as they landed the chopper in a football ground in Syangja, when a match was underway. 

The First Waling Gold Cup Tournament was taking place at the football ground in Waling -8 when the Robinson helicopter of Prabhu Air landed at a football ground at 2 pm today. A lot of football fans were watching the semi-final match between Waling Red and Cameroon team, when the chopper 9N-ALX landed on the ground, blowing away a thick cloud of dust around it, the locals said. “Players dispersed making the locals angry.”

“As the first half of the match was taking place, a helicopter appeared in the sky and landed in the ground,” according to the chairman of the Waling Youth Club LB Jwarchan. “This is a big blunder on the part of pilot,” he said, adding that players scuttled off to safety. “Luckily nothing untoward happened.”

Though no untoward incident happened, it was a sheer breach of flying protocol, the locals claimed, taking the matter into their own hands and roughing up the pilot senior captain Ramesh Dangol.

After the scuffle, the chopper flew back to Pokhara leaving the passenger. Binod Gaire, Khim Bahadur Thapa, Sushil Giri, Sushil Thapa of Waling-9 had chartered a helicopter to Waling for Rs 40,000.

Senior captain Dangol said that he was forced to land the chopper as the passenger demanded him to do so but the irate mob of players and organisers attacked him leaving his nose and mouth bleeding.

CDO of Syangja Ganga Bahadur Chhetri also said that the helicopter had not informed the district administration about its plan to land in the football ground. 

Meanwhile, District Administration Office, Syangja, has written a letter to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to investigate the matter. CAAN, in response, informed the administration that it has initiated an action against the chopper.

Airlines jack up airfares due to fuel surcharge hike

Airline companies hiked the airfare by up to Rs 1,020 per travel citing recent increase in prices of petroleum products.

The Airlines Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN), confirming the increase in fuel surcharge, said that the one-way ticket of Biratnagar-Nepalgunj has been expensive by over Rs 1,000. as the airfare has increased from Rs 8,915 to Rs 9,935.

The state oil monopoly has increased the price of aviation fuel (domestic) by Rs 19 per liter and the aviation turbine (ATF) fuel for international by $100 per kiloliter, effective from Sunday midnight. With the revised prices, these aviation fuels now cost Rs 185 per liter for domestic and $1,645 per kl for international, respectively.

According to the rule, Rs 5 increase or decrease in ATF should adjust the fuel surcharge accordingly, which will impact the airfare directly.

So, the rate of mountain flight from Kathmandu now costs Rs 6,350 per flight, up from Rs 5,695, according to the AOAN. “Likewise, the airfare for Pokhara-Bhadrapur route has increased from Rs 6,720 to Rs 7,490 per travel.”

After Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) raised the fuel prices, the land route transporters have also increased the transport fares of inter-provincial passenger and freight transport by up to 7.7 per cent.

Airfares get dearer

 Airlines operators jacked up the airfares by up to Rs 445 due to recent increase in fuel prices.

Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has hiked the price of air turbine fuel (ATF) for domestic flights by Rs 10 per liter forcing the airlines operators to jack up the surcharge in airfares.

Since the fuel prices have been increasing regularly every fortnight, this is the third time the airline operators have revised their surcharge charges upwards in the past two-and-a-half months.

According to the Airlines Operators Association Nepal (AOAN), Rs 5 change in ATF will force them revise the fuel surcharge.

On the basis of the new airfare, the one-way trip of Kathmandu-Dhangadhi will now cost Rs 5,125, an increase of Rs 445 as fuel surcharge, the AOAN said, adding that the airfares of Kathmandu-Bharatpur flights will be Rs 1,240, an increase of Rs 105.

Airline operators take strong exception to another lockdown preparation

 The airline operators asked the government not to impose the lockdown again.

Issuing a press note today, Airline Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) asked the government not to impose lockdown as the Valley Municipal Forum yesterday recommended government to impose another lockdown to contain the coronavirus spread. “Another lockdown will lead to an economic disaster,” the press note reads, adding that the economy that has hit hard due to six month long lockdown has slowly been reviving.

The government, though has not spelled its intention, the Mayors yesterday recommended to impose the third phase of lockdown in the Valley after Tihar and Chhath festivals to contain the rising Covid-19 infection.

The number of infected people rose at a rapid pace even during the strict lockdowns,” the AOAN press note reads, adding that many countries in the world have proved that Covid-19 can be controlled by following health and safety measures. “It is not appropriate to bring tourism, transportation, aviation and other businesses to a halt.”

The decision to impose a lockdown will result in job losses for thousands and livelihoods for those who rely on aviation industry apart from loss of airlines companies, which have already suffered losses worth around Rs 6 billion, the press note further reads.

The airliner operators have also praised the decision of Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation to reopen the country for international tourists. “The travel agencies are already taking bookings for holiday packages and trekking bookings,” the press note reads, adding that it should not be stopped. “However, the government must strictly enforce the health and safety measures and protocols like use of face masks and social distancing.”

“The airliners also have a huge reservation toward imposing another lockdown,” the press note reads.

Airlines operators warn of protest

 Airlines operators today warned the government of staging protests, if they are not allowed to resume operations of aviation services.

Issuing a press note, Airlines Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) said that they have already completed necessary preparations to resume domestic air services as per the directive by the government. “We will be forced to stage protests, if the government decides to further postpone the resumption of aviation service,” the press note reads, adding that they are fully prepared to implement the criteria set by the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to resume domestic air services.

The government – yesterday – postponed the resumption of aviation service only from September 1, against its earlier decision to resume air services from August 17 due to increasing Covid-19 cases in the last week.

The Airlines Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) – in its press note – said that they have been incurring a huge loss and reached already on the verge of collapse due to restrictions in the scheduled air services. The government has restricted the airlines – both domestic and international – since March to contain the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19) in the country.

“As the government has listed domestic air service – fixed wing – under an essential service,” the press note reads, adding that it is a primary responsibility of the government to make travelling easier for the needy people. “The suspension of aviation services has affected rescue flights for people affected by floods, landslides, disabled patients and pregnant women.”

Airlines is one of the most affected sectors due to coronavirus not only in Nepal but across the globe.. 

Flights, long-haul transport not to resume until September 1

The government has postponed the resumption of flights, and long-haul transportation for a month.

“A cabinet meeting today has decided to put off August 17 resumption of all flights till the September 1,” according to a minister. “The cabinet meeting has decided that domestic and international flights, long-haul transportation service, and other services that were earlier scheduled to resume on August 17 will remain suspended till September 1,” he confirmed, adding that the Crisis Management Centre (CMC) had recommended the government to postpone resumption of their operations by a fortnight, but the government decided it to postpone them by a month. “The decision has been taken in view of the steady rise in number of Covid-19 cases after the easing of the lockdown.”

The cabinet meeting – held at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar – has also decided to tighten the movement across the border crossing points due to the rise in number of infections across the border. “The government has fixed 10 border points for crossing from existing 20 to check the unwanted inflow,” he added.

The CCMC meeting on Sunday had decided to recommend to the government not to immediately resume aviation services and long-distance public transport as announced earlier to resume these services from August 17.

The government had partially lifted the lockdown 120 days after it was first imposed on March 24 to contain the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19). While lifting the lockdown – on July 20 – the government had announced to resume long-distance public transportation services, domestic and international flights, training sessions and preliminary stages of international games, student admission, academic and other examinations from August 17. The government had lifted the four-month long lockdown from July 21.

On March 20, the government had banned all passengers – including Nepalis, from entering the country from the European Union territories, including the United Kingdom, West Asia, Gulf countries and countries like Iran, Turkey, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan – four days ago, imposing a nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The cabinet meeting also decided to allow factories and business enterprises to resume their operation only after they fulfill health guidelines and develop separate quarantine facilities for their workers,” he informed.

With 338 new cases of coronavirus recorded in the past 24 hours across the country, Nepal's Covid-19 tally has risen to 23,310 today. A total of 79 individuals have succumbed to this disease so far.

The recent days have witnessed rising number of Covid-19 cases in the Kathmandu Valley. And the government has re-imposed the odd-even rule for both public and private vehicles except those belonging to essential services from Thursday.

Likewise, the Home Ministry has restricted the movement of people between 9 pm and 5 am in the three districts of the Kathmandu Valley to contain the possible spread of Covid-19. All passenger vehicles are also banned from entering the Kathmandu Valley from 7 pm to 7 am.

Ease restrictions on domestic flights: Airliners

Airline Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) has today requested the government to lift restrictions on domestic flights immediately to help rescue flood and landslide victims.
The government has – last week – announced to resume both domestic and international flights from August 17, but the association has issuing a press note – in the wake of recent floods and landslides – requested the government to resume domestic flights immediately. “Floods and landslides have damaged highways across the country making it hard for people to travel,” the press note reads, adding that the rescue and relief cargo flights need to operate. “Thus, the association requests the government to allow airline operators to operate non-scheduled regular flights for the convenience of people.”
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), in coordination with the association, has prepared Covid-19 prevention guideline to resume flights. Thus, the association claimed that there wouldn’t be any problem resuming flights immediately.
The rescue and relief flights have been affected due to flight restrictions, the press note reads, asking the the government to allow airlines to operate flights. “The emergency flight operations will also help airliners prepare for the resumption of regular commercial flights.”
The airliners have also pledged to provide flight services as per the airfare set by the government.
Currently, few airlines are operating repatriation, rescue and cargo flights with special permission from the Foreign Ministry and CAAN..

AOAN demands reduction of aviation fuel price

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.

Employees against splitting CAAN, Government committed to air safety

Though, the private airlines have been pushing the government to split Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) as soon as possible, the trade unions are against the government move to split the aviation sector regulatory body.
Speaking at the 21st anniversary programme of aviation sector regulator today, they warned of padlocking the office, if the decision to split CAAN to two entities is not rolled back. However, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) has already decided to bifurcate CAAN into regulation and operational bodies.
Chair of CAAN Trade Union Shrawan Kumar Yadav, on the occasion, said that the union has already started second phase of protest against the ministry's decision. But minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai, on the occasion, said that the government will go ahead with the CAAN restructuring plan. “The CAAN restructuring plan will not impact professional development of its employees,” he said assuring the CAAN staffers. “But government will come hard on staffers, who object to the decision.”
Restructuring the CAAN is one of the pre conditions to take Nepal out of European Union (EU) black list. The EU has back listed Nepali aircrafts to fly to European skies. Thus, the government is preparing to split CAAN to make the regulatory authority more effective according to the international aviation principles. The split will also prompt the EU remove Nepal from its air safety list, paving way for the Nepali airlines to fly in the European space.
The private airliners, on the occasion, however urged the government to split CAAN – into two entities to avoid hurting the aviation sector – as soon as possible. Its 9 years, the government has been struggling to split CAAN but the plan has not moved forward. Due to delays in passing the legislation, international aviation safety agencies have been slamming Nepal’s poor progress in ensuring air safety.
The government has prepared a draft Civil Aviation Bill that has already been submitted to the Legislative Committee of the cabinet seeking approval to register it in the Parliament. “The proposed law envisages integrating previous acts to eliminate conflicts and contradictions at the CAAN, which is currently functioning as both regulator and service provider, and there is no clear demarcation between its duties and organisational structure, according to the ministry.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) was established as an independent regulatory body on December 31, 1998 as a result of the Civil Aviation Act of 1996. The new law is expected to replace two existing acts, the Civil Aviation Act 1959 and the Nepal Civil Aviation Authority Act 1996.
In December 2013, the European Commission imposed a blanket ban on all airlines from Nepal from flying into the 28-nation bloc after the September 2012 crash of Sita Air Flight 601 in the Manohara River that killed 19 people, including seven British citizens. Likewise, between 2008 and 2012, there were at least two air crashes annually.
“The ban has had a profound impact on Nepal’s aviation and tourism industry,” president of the Airline Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) Rameshwor Thapa said, adding that travellers hesitate to visit the country, which has been questioned by the commission.
Likewise, tourism secretary Kedar Bahadur Adhikari, on the occasion, said that Nepal’s aviation safety has improved a lot, but there are many things to be done because improvement is a continuous process.

TAAN seeks Ramechhap airport upgradation

The Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) has urged the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) to upgrade Ramechhap airport as the tourist season has started.
A delegation of TAAN led by its president Khum Bahadur Subedi met with joint secretary at the ministry Buddhi Sagar Lamichhane today to discuss about the government’s decision to continue flights on the Ramechhap-Lukla sector. After operating flights smoothly in this spring season, CAAN has decided to give continuity to regular flights in the sector in the coming days.
Citing the need to create hassle-free travel for tourists on the Ramechhap-Lukla route, Subedi requested joint secretary Lamichhane to focus on developing the infrastructure of Manthali airport in Ramechhap and also sought complete a halt in the Kathmandu-Lukla flights.
The team has further requested the ministry to call a joint meeting between TAAN, Air Security and Authority Supervision Division, Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), Helicopter Association of Nepal (HAN), Airlines Operators’ Association of Nepal (AOAN), Ramechhap Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Nepal Association of Tours and Travel Agents (NATTA) to coordinate for the smooth operation of Ramechhap-Lukla flights, according to the TAAN secretariat.
According to the TAAN secretariat, unethical practices of airline companies of giving priority and preference to individual online bookings over those handled by trekking companies in Kathmandu should be stopped for the successful operation of Ramechhap-Lukla flights. “The government must discourage offering seats in Kathmandu-Lukla flights,” said senior vice-president of TAAN Nabin Trital.
Responding to the requests of TAAN, Lamichhane said that CAAN is currently working on the upgradation of Ramechhap airport. He further assured that along with the airport upgradation, the government will also ensure the security, accommodation and convenient travel of tourists.
Flights to Lukla were diverted from TIA to Manthali airport in Ramechhap since April 1 due to the renovation works of TIA runway as an alternative route till June 30. However, taking into consideration the convenience for passengers and public demand, CAAN had decided to allow airline companies to operate regular flights on the Ramechhap-Lukla route.
According to the CAAN, renovation of Manthali airport is underway and will be completed within this fiscal year, while remaining infrastructure will be renovated accordingly.

Airlines add flights to ease festive commute

Domestic airline companies have increased flights to facilitate festive commuters.
According to Airlines Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN), the airline companies have increased flights to destinations where the flow is comparatively higher. “Airline companies have increased the number of flights to various destinations as per the demand of the public,” AOAN spokesperson Yog Raj Kandel said, adding that the passengers have been complaining that they are facing hassles in obtaining air tickets, thus additional flights will ensure availability of air tickets during Dashain festival. “The airline companies have increased up to 50 per cent flights to various destinations depending on the flow of passengers.”
The flow of air passengers during Dashain has gone up significantly in recent years forcing the airline companies to add flight frequency also due to bad road conditions. This year too, the airline companies are ready to further add more flights in Dashain, if required, he said.
However, the passenger occupancy in flights from Kathmandu to various destinations is almost 100 per centbut occupancy in the flights to Kathmandu is less than 20 per cent due to out flow of people from Kathmandu to their respective home districts. It is expected that almost 2.5 million people will leave Kathmandu during Dashain festival. According to the Traffic Police, almost 1.5 million people have already left the valley till today.
Likewise, transport entrepreneurs have also added vehicles on routes where the flow of passengers is higher.
According to general secretary at the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs Saroj Sitaula, they have added the buses on long and short routes to cater to the urgency of the passengers to reach home for festival. The Department of Transport Management has also opened all land routes for all public vehicles across the country.

Bad weather forces nine choppers to make emergency landings

Some nine choppers were forced to make emergency landings in various locations close to the Valley after a sudden change in weather today morning. All of them were returning to Kathmandu from Lukla Airport – the gateway to Mt Everest region – early this morning.
According to spokesperson at Airlines Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) Yograj Kandel, four helicopters made emergency landings – at Basu in Kavrepalanchok district, one at Rosi Khola, one in Dhulikhel, one in Ramechhap, one in Sindhuli district, and yet another one in Solukhumbu district – due to zero visibility.
“The helicopters had to make emergency landings as all these locations had zero-visibility due to dense fog," he said, adding that more than 300 foreign trekkers have been stranded in Lukla airport since Saturday as the airlines service has come to a halt due to bad weather. “The helicopters were flown to Lukla after the weather appeared to improve this morning but it soon started deteriorating, forcing them en route to Kathmandu to make emergency landings.”

Airlines offer 10 per cent festive discount

Domestic carriers affiliated to Airline Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) offered a discount of 10 per cent on base fare targeting the festive season.
Issuing a press note today, the AOAN has announced 10 per cent discount on airfare during the festive season – Dashain, Tihar and Chhath – from September 29 to November 3. The AOAN has brought the discount offer to provide some relief to passengers, according to the association. “However, the discount is not applicable to airport tax and fuel surcharge amount as the base fare does not include fuel surcharge and airport tax.”
The passengers have to purchase their tickets from the ticket counters of the concerned airline companies to get the discount offer, the press note reads, adding that the discount is not available for tickets purchased from general sales agents (GSA) of the airlines. “The discount will be provided to Nepali passengers only and not the foreign passengers.”
The discount offer is offered by the member airline companies of AOAN including Buddha Air, Saurya Airlines, Sita Air, Summit Air, Yeti Airlines, Simrik Airlines and Tara Air. The association has 15 member airlines. Ten of them are helicopter operators.
The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation is, however, preparing to provide 50 per cent discount on airfare for passengers above 70 years.
The airline operators also confirmed that passengers will not face shortage of air tickets as most of the airlines have expanded their fleet this year. Likewise, the AOAN has also said that chopper operators will be available for search and rescue flights even during the festival season.

Domestic airfare comes down

Flying inside the country will be a bit cheaper from Sunday as the domestic carriers have slashed the fuel surcharge following a drop in the price of aviation fuel. The domestic airfare has been revised downwards as the fuel surcharge on both trunk and short take-off and landing (STOL) routes has come down.
The new tariff will be implemented from Sunday.
"The fuel surcharge has been decreased by Rs 90 to Rs 440 on trunk routes and Rs 40 to Rs 340 on STOL routes," according to Airlines Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN).
According to Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), the privately-owned domestic airliners can review fuel surcharge, if fuel price increases or decreases by at least Rs 4 per liter. The revised price fuel surcharge, however, should come into effect after 72 hours. The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) had reduced ATF price by Rs 10 per litre to Rs 94.50 on Thursday, on its anniversary day.
The surcharge reduction applies to the normal fare which is high but the airliners have been also selling tickets at cheaper rates at present too. According to spokesperson for AOAN Ghanashyam Acharya, on the basis of revised fuel surcharge, tickets for mountain flights will now cost Rs 11,300 from Kathmandu. "Similarly, flights to Pokhara, Bharatpur, Biratnagar, Janakpur, and Simara from Kathmandu will costs Rs 5,050, Rs 3,650, Rs 7,550, Rs 4,300, and Rs 3,120 respectively."
Likewise, airfares to Bhairahawa, Dhangadhi, Nepalgunj, Bhadrapur and Tumlingtar from Kathmandu will be Rs 6,200, Rs 12,650, Rs 10,000, Rs 9,100, and Rs 6,000 respectively.
Airlines operators had increased airfare last August, when the NOC had increased ATF price. Then the domestic carriers raised the fuel surcharge from Rs 40 to Rs 200 when NOC had increased the price of aviation fuel by Rs 4.50 per litre to Rs 104.50 per litre.
According to the Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA), Nepali skies saw 246 domestic flights daily on average.

Airliners reduce fare

Domestic airlines are marginally reducing the airfare to different destinations effective from tomorrow.
The Airlines Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) meeting today decided to slash fuel surcharge rate following the recent reduction in the price of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF). The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) had from Monday reduced the price of ATF by Rs 4 per litre to Rs 82 per litre for domestic airline companies.
"Along with reduction in fuel surcharge, domestic airlines will reduce airfares to different destinations from tomorrow," said AOAN spokesperson Ghanashyam Acharya. "The price will come down from Rs 40 to Rs 181 depending on distance."
Though, the AOAN revises fuel surcharge when price of ATF fluctuates by at least Rs 4 per litre, the new airfare can vary depending on the respective airline companies.
According to AOAN, the new airfare to Dhangadi – the furthest destination from Kathmandu – will come down to around Rs 12,019 – including a Rs 3,620 fuel surcharge and a Rs 200 airport tax – from Rs 12,200 from tomorrow with the implementation of new fuel surcharge rate. Likewise, air travel to Simara – the shortest destination from Kathmandu that takes 15 minutes – will be lowered to around Rs 3,005 from Rs 3,045. "The fuel surcharge has been slashed by Rs 40 to Rs 735, according to AOAN.
The mountain flight is also expected to cost Rs 10,862 from tomorrow as against the current rate of Rs 11,000.
The fuel surcharges for Kathmandu-Nepalgunj and Kathmandu-Tumlingtar routes have been reduced by Rs 135 and Rs 77; respectively. Likewise, fuel surcharges for Kathmandu-Bharatpur and Kathmandu-Pokhara routes have been slashed by Rs 47 and Rs 66.
The NOC had been selling aviation fuel at rates much higher than market prices. Airlines have been passing the burden of fuel price on to travellers in the form of fuel surcharge, taking airfares beyond the reach of people.
Airlines currently have over 90 per cent occupancy rate due to poor highway road conditions, particularly the Mugling-Narayangadh highway section.
The people have been resorting to air transport service to travel inside the country. After witnessing a constant fall in passenger numbers in the last four years, the domestic aviation sector rebounded strongly in 2016, recording an all-time high air traveller movement.
According to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), the domestic air passenger movement jumped by 28.85 per cent to 1.75 million, as travellers chose to fly rather than drive over ‘bone-jarring’ national highways.
According to deputy at the Air Transport Division of CAAN Subhash Jha, lower fuel surcharge will provide some relief to travelers.
Domestic carriers received 393,548 more flyers last year.  The figure includes 27,893 passengers flown by nine domestic helicopter companies. The passenger movement was on a constant decline since 2012, marking a departure from the robust growth rates seen since 2008 when airlines were flying high due to competitive airfares, constant protests and road blockades, forcing travellers to take it to the air. At that time, rise in NGO/INGO staff movement during the peace process and a real estate boom also helped airlines to do a brisk business.
Airlines saw a heady growth of 13 per cent in passenger movement in 2008. The growth rate jumped to 33 per cent in 2009, as fares were cut amid stiff competition. Although passenger movement increased 12.83 per cent in 2010, the growth rate started dropping in 2011 and recorded negative growth from 2012 to 2015.
The trend reversed in 2016. Nepali skies saw 73,876 flights during that year, up by 12.16 per cent than in 2015.

CAAN renewes Simrik Air AOC without licence renewal

In a serious case of aviation safety lapse, the civil aviation regulator – Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) – has renewed Air Operator Certificate (AOC) of Simrik Airlines despite the expiration of the airliner's flying licence 15 months ago.
"How did the CAAN renew the AOC of an airline, whose licence has been expired," questioned a senior CAAN official. "It demands a serious investigation into such safety lapses," he added.
According to the rule, the airline should start the process of renewing its AOC from the CAAN, only after the issuance of the licence.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has given the significant safety concern tag to Nepal’s aviation sector in its audit report in August 2013 on the ground of th country's inability to oversee air safety. Nepal is already under EU black list due to lapses in aviation safety.
The Tourism Ministry is in dilemma over whether or not to renew Simrik Airlines’ flying licence that expired 15 months ago. Ministry officials have been conducting rounds of meetings exploring legal grounds to renew the permit of the airline that has been grounded since Monday, though its licence has expired more than a year ago.
Today, the issue was discussed at the Prime Minister’s Office. "The airline’s flying licence has expired,” tourism secretary Prem Kumar Rai said, adding that the private airliners has now two alternatives; either begin a fresh process to obtain a new licence or convince the minister to table a proposal at the Cabinet to extend the permit in recognition of its contribution to the industry.
The airliner's chairman captain Rameshwor Thapa also runs a newspaper Annapurna Post, apart from being the ex-president of Airlines Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN).
However, such carelessness has once again raised serious safety question on Nepal's sky that has already been under scanner from the European Union (EU). But the ministry officials are waiting for the appointment of a new Tourism Minister to get the issue sorted out.
According to the regulation, domestic airlines must renew their licenses every four years. They have to renew the permit within one year after its expiry. But Simrik Airlines has been flying till Monday without renew the permit for 15 months.
The airline – issuing a press release – said that it was unable to renew its licence due to last year’s earthquakes and subsequent trade embargo. Though, it has apolisised with its customers, it’s a sheer careless in the part of airlines safety.
Simrik Airlines has in its press release also said that it has initiated the process to renew the licence. "The process could be delayed as the minister is yet to be appointed,” the statement reads.
According to ministry officials, it will take at least a week to issue a new licence, if the airline applies for the new licence. However, the airline should pay an additional Rs 600,000 to renew its route permit. The carrier has got permits on 20 domestic routes. The royalty for each route stands at Rs 30,000, which the airlines should pay again. To initiate a fresh licence process, it has to show a bank guarantee of Rs 2 million and should have a paid-up capital of Rs 20 million.

Airlines postpone protest plans

The airliners have shelved the protest programmes till the festivals.

The protest programmes have been postponed for a month till November 9, according to the Airlines Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) that had announced its protest – that started from September 29 – against the aviation fuel price hike.
“However, after a month, we will continue the protest programmes against the repeated hikes in the price of aviation fuel,” president of AOAN Rameshwor Thapa, said, adding that the repeated increment of fuel charge is not justified as it pushes the airfare hitting directly passengers.

The fuel alone accounts for 40 per cent of the operating cost of an airline, the AOAN added. “Likewise, weather and runway problems have been adding an additional five per cent burden on the top of operating costs.”

Domestic airline operators have been protesting the recent price hike in aviation fuel by Rs 7 from Rs 130 to Rs 137 per litre – on September 11 by the state oil monopoly. Earlier the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) hiked the aviation fuel price by Rs 10 forcing the airline operators to increase the fuel surcharge. 
The rise in aviation fuel prices has directly passed onto travellers in the form of a fuel-surcharge. In the last 18 months, airfares have soared by an additional Rs 2,500 on long-haul routes and a minimum of Rs 1,000 in short-haul ones.
The hike in fuel price will not only hit the passenger but also domestic aviation sector. “The rural populace will get hurt from the frequent rise in aviation fuel price,” the operators said, asking the government to remove cross subsidy and bring bank guarantee for domestic aviation sector.
Domestic passenger movement through the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) dropped by 3.60 per cent year-on-year to 772,873 in the first six months of 2013. The operators said that air passenger movement will continue to decline with regular increase in airfare.

Airline operators to protest at TIA, regional airports

The executive meeting of Airline Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN), today announced a series of protest programmes – against the recent hike of aviation fuel prices – to be held at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), the only international airport, and the regional airports from September 29.

“The association expressed its dissatisfaction over the government not showing concern regarding the demand of airline operators of the country,” a press release said, adding that it had submitted a memorandum to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation on September 11 requesting it to make necessary changes regarding repeated air fuel price hikes but the ministry has not shown any interest.

The meeting also decided that on September 29, airlines staff wear a black ribbon during work at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) and the regional airports from 10am to 11am as a protest to the government.

The protest will continue till October 3.

The state oil monopoly had on September 11, hiked the aviation fuel price to Rs 137 per litre from a month ago’s Rs 130 per litre.
On August 11 also, the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) had jacked the aviation fuel price up by Rs 10 per litre for the domestic airlines.

Air Dynasty chopper crashes while landing

An Air Dynasty chopper carrying three passengers crashed while landing at the Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla today morning. But there was no casualties. Three injured passengers and the pilot were given primary treatment at Pasang Lhamu-Nicole Nicky Hospital. Later seriously injured Malla and Dawagel Sherpa were transferred to Vayodha Hospital in Kathmandu.
According to a preliminary report, the helicopter crashed at around 8:20am when it touched the fencing wire of the airport while landing, according to the Tribhuvan International Airport Civil Aviation Office.
“The 9 NA-AEX helicopter carrying Anita Thapa, Dawagel Sherpa and Sonam Tshering Sherp,” it informed adding that pilot Arun Malla was flying the chopper. Either miscommunication or the high speed wind might have caused the accident, the airport authority said.
Lukla – the most dangerous airport – witnesses such accidents due to high speed of the wind. Though, there is a wind detector at the ATC tower at Lukla airport, it could differ from the tarmac and confuse the ATC and the pilots.  Since 1961, the country has seen some 70 air accidents with around 300 fatalities, according to the Airline Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN).

Domestic carriers hike fuel surcharge, air travel becomes costlier

With the state oil monopoly jacking up prices of the aviation fuel by Rs 10 per litre to Rs 130 from Saturday, the domestic carriers are also increasing the fuel surcharge on air tickets by up to Rs 385 from tomorrow making the air travel costlier.

On August 10, the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) had hiked Rs 10 or eight per cent in the aviation fuel.

Domestic airliners can adjust fuel surcharge, if the aviation fuel is adjusted by Rs 4 per litre upwards or downwards.
A meeting of the Airlines Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) has immediately after the fuel price hike on Saturday, announced to the increase fuel surcharge on Sunday.

The shortest distance air ticket to Simara will now be hiked by Rs 110, whereas the longest distance air travel Dhangadi will add Rs 385 and mountain flights will add Rs 375 fuel surcharge.

According to senior marketing manager of Buddha Air Rupesh Joshi, the airliners are forced to hike the fuel surcharge due to hike in the price of the domestic aviation fuel that contributes around 30 per cent to 35 per cent to the overall cost of the airlines operations.

Earlier, the domestic airlines has increased fuel surcharge on September 5, 2012, after NOC had raised the aviation fuel price by 10.09 per cent to Rs 120 per litre.