Nepal-Australia direct flight on cards

After Nepal and Australia signed a bilateral agreement on October 2, both the countries have been working on to ensure a direct flight between Kathmandu and Sydney.
Around 150,000 Nepalis currently reside in Australia and in the absence of direct flight between Kathmandu and Sydney, the Nepali community and tourists are forced to visit through various transits.
According to data of the Sydney Airport, the arrival of passengers to Sydney from Kathmandu has reached 121,260 so far this year, which is the largest number, when it comes to those nations lacking a direct flight.
Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has also conducted a feasibility study of a direct flight between Kathmandu and Sidney. “The distance between Kathmandu and Sidney is approximately 10,000 kilometers,” the study reads, adding that constant discussions are underway on various technical aspects of the project following an agreement.

Nepal and Australia sign air service agreement

Nepal has signed air service agreement (ASA) with Australia to operate direct flight service making it the 40th international country for Nepal having such ASA.
With the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on air service at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) headquarters in Montreal of Canada, Nepali aircraft are allowed to operate flights different destinations of Australia, according to the Tourism Ministry press note.
The air service agreement with Australia was signed by joint secretary at the Tourism Ministry Suresh Acharya and executive director of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development Jim Wolfe. “With the signing of agreement, now airline companies of both countries can operate seven flights a week,” according to the agreement. “Nepali airline companies have received permission to fly to four Australian cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Perth to operate seven flights a week, while flights to airports located in other cities are unlimited.”
Likewise, Australian airline companies can operate seven flights a week to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), whereas they can operate 28 flights a week to other airports – after their completion – like Gautam Buddha International Airport and Pokhara Regional International Airport. Meanwhile, there is no restriction for cargo services. “The pact permits unrestricted cargo movement between the two countries besides third country code share with a provision for domestic code share,” the ministry informed.
The designated airline companies of Nepal can use any two intermediate points in South East Asia, South Asia and the Middle East for flight operations, according to the Tourism Ministry, “Likewise, any two points in New Zealand can also be used to operate flights.”
According to the ministry, one of the most important features of the agreement is the ‘principal place of business’ that normally facilitates foreign direct investment (FDI) instead of the traditional ‘principle of airline substantial ownership’ that is currently in practice.
A team led by Tourism Minister Yogesh Bhattarai had departed for ICAO headquarters in Montréal in Canada on September 20 to participate in the ICAO assembly. Nepal has already signed ASAs with a total of 39 countries across the world. However, flights are being operated to a very few destinations, including India, Dubai, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Qatar and Japan. The ASA is expected to support Nepal Airlines Corporation as it has been trying to operate direct flights to Australia since very long.
Currently, NAC, Buddha Air and Himalaya Airlines are operating international flights from and to Nepal.

Nepal plans to sign ASA with Australia, Canada

Nepal and Australia are planning to sign an air service agreement (ASA) at the ongoing 40th session of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Assembly in Montreal of Canada, permitting domestic code sharing in Nepal and direct flights between the two countries.
Under the domestic code-share agreement, Australian carriers will be free to enter into code-share agreements with Nepali domestic carriers to any point in Nepal, according to Tourism Ministry. The cabinet – last Thursday – had approved the Tourism Ministry's proposal to sign the air service agreement with Australia. “The government is also planning to sign ASA with Canada.”
The Australian government has expressed willingness to permit seven weekly flights to key cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, according to the Tourism Ministry. “But the Australia has proposed providing unlimited flights to other destinations.”
Nepal will also allow seven weekly flights by Australian carriers to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), the ministry informed, adding that Australian carriers will be permitted to operate another 28 weekly services to new airports in Bhairahawa and Pokhara.
Nepal is the third largest source of foreign students to Australia after China and India. Kathmandu is currently Sydney’s largest unserved market globally, with 93,000 people travelling between Nepal’s capital and Australia's largest city annually. But Nepalis are flying via somewhere else. Thus Nepal has been making efforts to sign an ASA with Australia for the last three years. The Tourism Ministry had requested the Australian government to allow 14 weekly flights with any type of aircraft. Sydney-Kathmandu is 5,253 nautical miles or 9,728 kilometres.
Nepal Airlines is also planning to fly to Australia after acquiring two long-range Airbus A330-200s as the current aircraft will not be able to fly non-stop to Australia. “But Nepal Airlines can fly to Australia through a third party code-share agreement,” the Ministry added. “The third party code share is rights granted through a bilateral agreement under which the code is shared between an airline of the bilateral partners and an airline from a country other than the bilateral partner.”
The preferred route between Nepal and Australia is through Guangzhou, China.
The direct flight will also help bring more Australian tourists to Nepal. Nepal received 38,429 Australian visitors last year, up from 33,371 in 2017, according to the data. “In 2014 before the earthquake, some 24,516 Australian tourists visited Nepal.”
Since 1963, Nepal has signed air service agreements with 39 countries, with Cambodia being the latest signatory. On Saturday, tourism minister Yogesh Bhattarai and UAE Minister for Economy Bin Saeed Al Mansoori signed the revised ASA on behalf of their respective governments in Canada on the sidelines of the 40th session of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Assembly being held in Montreal.
Nepal and the UAE had signed the ASA in 1999 for the first time.
Likewise, the government is also in the process of negotiating with the Thai government to revise the old ASA, which was signed in 1971 to operate daily flights to Thailand. 

Nepal-UAE sign revised ASA

Nepal and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a revised Air Service Agreement (ASA) in Canada today.
Tourism Minister Yogesh Bhattarai and finance minister of UAE Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori signed the agreemnent on the sidelines of the 40th session of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Assembly being held in Montreal, Canada.
Nepal and the UAE had signed the ASA in 1999 for the first time.
According to the Tourism Minister, Nepal is also planning to sign ASA with Canada and Australia. “The ASA with Canada and Australia will help Nepal attract more tourists from these countries.  

Nepal to sign ASA with Australia

Nepal is preparing to sign an air services agreement (ASA) with Australia.
We are preparing to propose to the Australian government for an ASA during the 40th International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Assembly that is going to be held in Montreal in Canada from September 24 to October 4, according to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA).
A Nepali team – led by tourism minister Yogesh Bhattarai – will be departing for Canada on September 20 to attend the assembly that will see a total of 139 countries. The assembly is also going to set new aviation policies for the next three years. Bhattarai will hold discussions with the representative team of the Australian government during the assembly.
Nepal will propose ASA with Australia during the bilateral discussions in the assembly.
Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has been planning to fly to Australia after the national flag carrier purchased two wide-body Airbus aircraft. “But Nepal must enter into ASA with Australia before starting scheduled commercial flights,” according to the ministry that has also confirmed that Australia is trying to operate flights to other countries using Nepal as a transit country.
Since Nepal has only one international airport, the government has not been able to agree – except also due to lack of ASA – but after the completion of Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa, Nepal could address Aussie demand.
Nepal has already signed ASAs with some 39 countries across the world. But Nepali aircraft fly to India, Dubai, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Qatar and Japan only.

Nepal Airlines to take off to Osaka after 12 years

The national flag carrier is resuming its flights to Japan after 12 years from tomorrow morning. The Airbus A330-200 series aircraft will be taking off at 2:30am on Thursday from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) to Osaka International Airport. The Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) will fly to Osaka with 130 passengers – 90 commercial passengers and remaining 40 are representatives from NAC and Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation – according to the NAC spokesperson Ganesh Kumar Chand, who will be flying to Osaka with State Minister for tourism Dhan Bahadur Budha, joint secretary Suresh Acharya and six lawmakers.
NAC is offering Rs 36,999 per person for a one-way ticket to Osaka as a promotional offer, whereas roundtrip fare is fixed at Rs 72,814 per person, including value added tax (VAT), he said, adding that the NAC is flying three days a week – Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays – to Osaka. “It takes around six-and-a-half hours to reach Osaka from Kathmandu, whereas it will take around 8 eight hours to fly back to Kathmandu from Osaka.”
The NAC will operate direct passenger flights to Osaka with the Airbus A330-200.
Earlier, the NAC used to operate commercial flights on Kathmandu-Osaka route via Beijing twice a week between 1994 and 2007. But lack of aircraft, rising fuel price and lack of human resources forced the national flag carrier to halt the service 12 years ago. Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) permitted the corporation to resume its flight to Osaka after Nepal and Japan signed the Exchange of Notes on revising the Air Service Agreement (ASA) earlier this year.
Though, NAC had been planning to operate the Osaka flights from July 5, it started flights in August due to low flow of passengers till July-end. NAC, however, used to suspend flights to Japan during monsoon season when passenger flow declines 12 years ago too.
The NAC has targeted to fly some 63,000 Japanese tourists this year, according to the national flag carrier that is also preparing to operate direct flights to China and Saudi Arabia soon.
Currently, the national flag carrier is operating flights to 10 cities – including Dubai, New Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Qatar and Osaka – of 8 countries with its 2 narrow-body and 2 wide-body Airbus.

Nepal Airlines to fly to Osaka from August 29

Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) is prepared to start its scheduled commercial flight on the Kathmandu-Osaka-Kathmandu route from next week, after 12 years. Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) permitted the NAC to resume its flight to Osaka after Nepal and Japan signed Exchange of Notes on revising the Air Service Agreement (ASA) earlier this year.
The state-owned airlines – organising a press meet in Kathmandu today – confirmed that the corporation is all set to fly to Osaka from August 29. “The national flag carrier will use Airbus A330-200 aircraft with the capacity of 274 passengers for Osaka flights,” the executive chairman of the NAC Madan Kharel informed, adding that the first flight to Osaka has received a positive response from the public. “Bookings will pick up pace from the last week of September.”
Kharel, however, said that the seat occupancy is likely to improve from October. “Within one year of the flight operation, I assure you that the flight occupancy will be more than 80 per cent per flight,” he added. “With the current booking trend, we are expecting at least 100 passengers.”
At least 30 officials, including tourism minister Yogesh Bhattarai, are also flying on the median flight to Osaka on August 29.
The national flag carrier had initially planned to fly to Narita International Airport but as the Japanese authorities refused to give permission to fly to the other two cities, the NAC decided to fly to Osaka for some time.
Likewise, the corporation had planned to fly to Osaka from July 5. But the poor booking forced it to postpone the flights to August. “The non-stop seven-hour flight on Kathmandu-Osaka route is scheduled to operate three times a week – on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays – and depart Kathmandu at 2:30 am and land Osaka at 11:55 am (local time),” he said, adding that the NAC has introduced promotional fare for the flights at Rs 36,999 for one way and Rs 72,814 for round trip, reducing the earlier fixed rates of Rs 45,000 and Rs 75,000- Rs 90,000, respectively. “The promotional fare will be valid till September,” Kharel added.
NAC is resuming direct flights to Osaka after a hiatus of 12 years. Nepal Airlines launched its Japan service in 1994, flying to Osaka via Shanghai in China. In 2007, it was forced to suspend the route as it did not have enough planes. The NAC used to fly Boeing 757 aircraft to Osaka.
The resumption of direct flights is expected to benefit Nepalis residing in Japan and also Japanese tourists visiting Nepal, apart from contribute to the Visit Nepal Year 2020 campaign.
The NAC has been operating scheduled flights to New Delhi, Doha, Dubai, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Mumbai, and Bangalore with two Airbus A320-200 and two Airbus A330-200 airplanes. But Kharel, on the occasion, also informed that Nepal Airlines will operate flights to Narita International Airport in Tokyo from January 1. But the corporation has scheduled to fly to Narita on September 26 and October 2, as it has applied for chartered flights to Narita. The NAC will use wide body aircraft – Airbus A330-200 – for the chartered flights, he informed.
Kharel also informed that the China flight will take some time as the Chinese government wants to first conduct a safety audit before allowing the flight. Though half dozen Chinese airlines fly to Kathmandu, not a single airlines has been permitted to fly to China.

Himalaya Airlines gets green signal to operate flights to Beijing

Himalaya Airlines is going to begin the first direct service between Kathmandu and Beijing by the end of October, which is going to give a major boost to the Visit Nepal 2020 campaign.
The authorities hope to attract at least half a million visitors from northern neighbour China and the start of the Himalaya Airlines will help achieve the targeted numerb of Chinese visitors, according to Himalaya Airlines vice-president of administration Vijay Shrestha. “The private airliner plans to operate three weekly flights to Beijing Daxing International Airport,” he said, confirming that China has granted operating authorisation, and preparations are being made to conduct the maiden flight to the Chinese capital. “The airline is in the process of acquiring an Airbus A319 narrow-body jet that can carry up to 160 passengers for the Beijing flight.”
As Himalaya Airlines becomes the first Nepali carrier to fly directly to China, the national flag carrier Nepal Airlines is also waiting for clearance from Chinese authorities to fly to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.
Nepal and China – in July – signed a revised bilateral air services agreement (ASA) allowing 98 weekly flights between the two countries on a reciprocal basis, increasing the flights from the current 70 flights a week.
Not a single Nepali airline flies to China at present, though five Chinese carriers including Air China, China Southern, China Eastern, Sichuan Airlines and Tibet Airlines operate flights to Kathmandu.
Nepal Airlines used to fly to Japanese city of Osaka via Shanghai until 2008 under fifth freedom rights. Bugt with the closure of Osaka flights, NAC couldnot use the rights too.
Nepal Airlines, though applied in 2015, for landing permission at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, it is still pending.
After the revision of the ASA in July in Beijing, the northern neighbour also agreed to expedite the process of issuing operating authorisation to Nepal Airlines and Himalayan Airlines. The Chinese authority is visiting Kathmandu in October to conduct an internal audit of Nepal Airlines – a procedure before allowing the carrier to operate services to China – which is expected to give the NAC chance to fly to Guangzhou.
According to the spokesperson of Nepal Airlines Ganesh Bahadur Chand, “The airlines had requested Chinese authority to come in August, but due to their busy schedule, they have scheduled their visit for October. “Once the audit clears NAC, it will connect Kathmandu with Guangzhou.”
The Himalaya Airlines also is planning to operate Kathmandu-Lhasa and Kathmandu-Beijing services by October.
Nepal is planning to bring in at least 500,000 Chinese tourists in 2020. The arrivals from China witnessed an increament of 46.8 per cent to 153,602 in 2018.

NAC introduces promotional airfare for Osaka flights

Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has introduced a promotional airfare for flights to Osaka in Japan.
As the national flag carrier has already announced its plan operate regular flights to Osaka from August 29, the NAC has offered a promotional airfare for marketing purpose. According to the corporation, passengers flying to Japan can buy one-way ticket at Rs 36,999 – under the promotional scheme – while the charge for round-trip passengers has been set at Rs 72,814, including value added tax (VAT).
Earlier, NAC had fixed Rs 45,000 for one-way and Rs 77,000 for round-trip for Osaka flight.
“The promotional airfare has slashed the normal fare by Rs 8,000 for passengers travelling in Kathmandu-Osaka route, the airlines said, adding that the promotional airfare for the Kathmandu-Osaka route is being offered for a limited time only.
The promotional airfare will last till the festival of Dashain. After that the airfare will be revised again, he added. The national flag carrier is preparing to operate Osaka direct flights three days a week — Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. It takes around six-and-a-half hours to reach Osaka from Kathmandu.
Earlier, NAC had initially planned to operate Osaka flights from July 14 but the commencement date was postponed to August due to poor response from passengers.
NAC had, earlier, operated commercial flights in Kathmandu-Osaka route twice a week in between 1994 and 2007. But iut was halted due to lack of aircraft and human resources.
The NAC is also resuming direct flights to Osaka of Japan after a hiatus of 12 years. Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) permitted the NAC to resume its flight to Osaka after Nepal and Japan signed Exchange of Notes on revising the Air Service Agreement (ASA) earlier this year.
The NAC has been operating scheduled flights to New Delhi, Doha, Dubai, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Mumbai, and Bangalore with the fleet of two Airbus A320-200s and two Airbus A330-200.

China agrees to designate eight new destinations for Nepali airlines

Though, the northern neighbour has not yet allowed Nepali aircraft to fly to its cities till date, China has again agreed to designate eight new destinations for Nepali airlines, in addition of existing seven.
According to a press release issued by Embassy of Nepal in Beijing, both the countries today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) ensuring Nepali aircraft to fly to eight additional destinations will be specified by Nepal at its own discretion.
According to the press release, the deal was reached during a two-day meeting between the representatives of the aeronautical authorities of Nepal and China earlier today.
Though Nepal has not been given slot to fly to China, Nepal can currently also fly its carriers to seven destinations including Beijing, Shanghai, Lhasa, Guangzhou, Kunming, Chengdu and Xi’an. China has been currently operating 56 flights to Nepal per week. The Nepali side – during the meeting – urged the Chinese side to extend necessary support and assistance to Nepali airlines to operate flights to destinations in China as currently there are no flights originating from Nepal to mainland China.
“The Chinese side responded positively and agreed to extend necessary support and facilitation to Nepali airlines," the press release reads, adding that the two sides – revising the Air Service Agreement (ASA) – also agreed to raise the frequency of flights to 98 flights per week from each country, from the existing 70 flights, according to previous agreement of last five years.
“For flights operated by China-designated airlines, some 21 out of the agreed number of frequencies will be reserved for Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) and Pokhara Regional International Airport (PRIA), and will come into effect once those airports come into operation.”
Nepal Airlines Cooperation used to operate few flights a week before 2007. However, it discontinued because of decrease in number of aircrafts with the corporation. But Nepal and China has revised the ASA without providing any assurance of allowing Nepal Airlines Corporation to fly in Chinese skies. The Chinese aviation authority has prevented the national flag carrier from flying to Chinese cities citing ‘safety concerns’ raised by the European Union (EU).
However, the Chinese side also agreed to expedite the process of issuing authorisation of Nepal Airlines and Himalaya Airlines, which have applied to operate flights between Kathmandu to Guangzhou and Beijing. Though Chinese authorities have agreed to allow NAC to operate flights on Kathmandu-Guangzhou route, the national flag carrier will first need to meet the criteria of the safety audit to be conducted by China.
A team from Civil Aviation Administration of China will come to Kathmandu in October for the safety audit, which will determine whether NAC is permitted to operate flights to China. If NAC fails the test, it won’t be allowed to fly to Guangzhou or any other city of China.
The meeting led by joint secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Suresh Acharya and deputy director general of Civil Aviation Administration of China Bai Wenli also reached an understanding that after the development of adequate technical facilities at Gunsa Airport in Tibet, flights of Nepali airlines would be allowed to land there while circumnavigating Mt Kailash as part of the mountain flight. They also agreed to explore opportunities in the field of civil aviation between the two countries through joint collaboration. “Both the sides agreed to intensify mutual co-operation on promoting bilateral connectivity and to further utilise and expand the opportunities in the civil aviation sector between the two countries through joint collaboration,” the release reads.
China has opened Nepal as a tourist destination from 2002. Currently, Chinese tourists visiting Nepal are the second highest after Indians.

NAC reopens booking for Osaka flights

Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has opened bookings for Kathmandu-Osaka-Kathmandu flights. The national flag carrier is launching its scheduled flight to Osaka from August 29, though it had earlier announced to start Osaka flights from July 5 but had to postpone the flight citing poor bookings.
NAC is planning to operate Osaka flights three times a week – on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays – according to NAC that has fixed one-way flight fare at Rs 45,000 and Rs 75,000- Rs 90,000 for a round trip.
NAC is resuming direct flights to Osaka of Japan after aninterval of of 12 years. Although the nationa flag carrier carrier had started flying to Osaka via Shanghai in 1994, it had suspended the flight in 2007 citing shortage of aircraft. NAC had used Boeing 757 aircraft for Osaka flights at that time but now it is planning to fly with Airbus A330-200 aircraft.
Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) permitted NAC to resume its flight to Osaka after Nepal and Japan signed Exchange of Notes on revising the Air Service Agreement earlier this year.
NAC has been operating scheduled flights to New Delhi, Doha, Dubai, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Mumbai, and Bangalore with two Airbus A320-200s and two Airbus A330-200.

Nepali team departs to China for revision of ASA

Nepal and China is scheduled to hold discussions – on Thursday and Friday – on revising the air services agreement (ASA).
A Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) team – led by joint secretary Suresh Acharya – left for China today to hold discussions on revising the ASA, according to the ministry that has prepared to ask the northern neighbour to allow Nepali airliners to fly to Chinese cities.
Currently, Chinese airlines have direct flights to Nepal, whereas not a single Nepali airline flies to China directly, though the number of Chinese flights coming to Nepal has reached 70 per week. Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has started the process to operate flights to China, whereas Himalaya Airlines also unveiled its plan to fly to China. Howvere, they have not got any slots to fly to China against the ASA between the two neighbours.
Earlier, the two countries had signed bilateral ASA in 2014, under which both countries were allowed to operate 56 flights a week in any airport of the respective countries. Due to the agreement, Chinese airline companies including Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, Sichuan Airlines and Tibet Airlines are operating direct flights to Nepal from China, but Nepali Airlines have been ‘barred’ technically to fly to China.
The national flag carrier – a month ago – had submitted all the required documents to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) to operate direct flights to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in China. But the Chinese authorities had mentioned that they will first need to conduct a safety audit before permitting NAC to operate flights to the northern neighbour.
The NAC is ready for safety audit as a Chinese team is coming to Kathmandu in October for the safety audit.
Though, China is a very significant market for the Nepali tourism industry, failure of the Nepali Airlines to fly to China has hit the number of Chinese tourists – who are the second largest travellers to Nepal – also in the wake of Visit Nepal 2020.

Government ready to revise ASA with China

The government has approved the Tourism Ministry’s proposal to review the air service agreement (ASA) with northern neighbour.
“The Cabinet has given approval ‘in principle’ for the Tourism Ministry’s proposal to revise the air service agreement with China,” according to minister for Communication and Information Technology and spokesperson of government Gokul Prasad Baskota.
Informing the government decision in the weekly press briefing today, he said that high-level delegation from the two countries are scheduled to meet in Beijing on July 25. “The Cabinet has allowed the ministry to form a five-member team led by tourism joint secretary to hold discussion,” he said, adding that Nepal has sought access to all Chinese airports and China has proposed to increase flight frequencies to Nepal. “Nepal will ask China to allow Nepali carriers to fly to different Chinese cities.”
Currently, six Chinese carriers including Air China, China Southern, China Eastern, Sichuan Airlines, Cathay Dragon and Tibet Airlines operate flights to Nepal. But no Nepali carriers are allowed to fly to China. The national flag carrier used to operate a service to Osaka, Japan via Shanghai until 2008 under fifth freedom rights.
The existing ASA allows up to 70 flights per week but Chinese carriers want the new agreement to allow more flights as travel demand is constantly going up also because the agreed frequency has been consumed.
The Chinese side has requested to increase flight frequencies, according to the Tourism Ministry that added that the frequency, however, will depend on the negotiations that will take place on July 25. “The Chinese aircraft can also fly to new airports in Bhairahawa and Pokhara, except Kathmandu.
Though, Nepali carriers are currently allowed to fly to 7 destinations including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Kunming, Chengdu, Lhasa and Xi'an, China has not yet approved Nepal’s request.
In 2015, Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) applied for landing permission at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, but China has not yet approved the request.
Earlier, Nepal and China had signed a revised bilateral air services agreement in February 2014, permitting the operation of 56 flights per week with any type of aircraft on a reciprocal basis. The agreement allowed each country to increase the flight frequency to 70 per week by 2016. Under the old agreement, Chinese airlines were allowed to operate 14 flights per week.

Finland proposes ASA with Nepal

Finland has proposed signing a bilateral air service agreement (ASA) with Nepal.
The Finnair – the national flag carrier and largest airline of Finland that is headquartered in Vantaa on the premises of Helsinki Airport – has shown interest in operating direct flights to Kathmandu. A flight between Kathmandu and Helsinki is estimated to take around nine hours.
The government has received a formal proposal from the Finnish government to sign an ASA some three weeks ago, following talks with Finnair officials and the Finnish ambassador to Nepal. “Though it is in initial phase, we have been working on the proposal accordingly,” informed the Tourism Ministry.
The agreement is expected to be completed by July, after the ASA document is prepared and both the countries approve it.
Since, the number of Nepalis including students living in the Nordic countries – Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden – is growing, though the Nepali airlines have not been able to fly to neither Europe nor Nordic countries as the European Commission has imposed ban on all airlines from Nepal to fly on the European sky in December 2013. The European Commission (EC) – the 28-nation bloc – had asked European operators and travel agents to inform European travellers who will have a right to reimbursement if they have booked a seat on a Nepali carrier as part of a journey to Nepal and decide not to use it. Nepal has been removed from the air safety list of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) but the European Commission has continued its ban on all Nepali airlines.
Nepal has signed ASA with 39 countries since 1963. Currently, 28 international airlines fly to Nepal from various destinations.

NAC plans Kathmandu-Narita flights

Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) is planning non-stop flights between Kathmandu and Narita, a city on the eastern outskirts of Tokyo in Japan.
The national flag carrier is holding talks with the visiting delegation of Narita International Airport Corporation (NIAC) of Japan today on operation of the flights between Kathmandu and Narita. Though, NAC wanted to fly to Tokyo after a decade, it could not get any slot at the Tokyo Airport and plans to fly to Narita.
A three-member team – of NIAC that manages the Narita airport facilities – led by vice president of aviation sales and marketing department of the airport Koji Takahashi arrived in Kathmandu today.
“As NAC has applied for a slot at Narita International Airport, the national flag carrier will hold discussions on the facilities and other areas of commercial operation," according to senior official at the Nepal Airlines Corporation that has last week applied for the slot and has been approved by the airport. "However, the NAC is still waiting to receive landing permission from the aviation regulator of Japan, Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB)."
The national flag carrier is planning to fly its two long-range Airbus A330 jets to Narita after it has revised air service agreement (ASA) on June 18. The revised ASA has increased the number of flights to seven-fold from twice weekly to 14 weekly flights with any type of aircraft on a reciprocal basis. The revised agreement has allowed NAC to fly to Narita International Airport, and also to Kansai International Airport, Osaka.
Though, NAC has been planning to restart flights to Japan, the process including safety checks, has been delaying the Kathmandu-Narita flight. "In the first phase, Kathmandu-Narita flight will be once a week," according to the NAC.
Earlier, Nepal Airlines had launched its services to Japan in 1994, flying to Osaka via Shanghai in China. But it was forced to suspend the flight in 2007 due to lack of aircraft.  

Nepal, Cambodia sign air service pact

Nepal and Cambodia today signed the firstever bilateral air service agreement (ASA) between the two countries. The ASA will allow the airlines of both countries to launch 14 commercial flights a week in either direction.
Tourism minister Rabindra Adhikari and minister in charge of the Secretariat of Civil Aviation of Cambodia Mao Havanall signed the ASA – between the two countries – in the presence of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen.
Though a final agreement to start air services between the two nations will be signed between the civil aviation authorities of both the nations in the near future, the agreement has paved the way for holding direct flights between Nepal and Cambodia, joint secretary at the ministry Suresh Acharya said.
"The agreement also makes provision for code-sharing, including third-country code share, where airlines of both countries can partner with other airlines to facilitate services to each other’s market," he said, adding that the agreement provides unlimited air cargo service between the two countries. "But aviation authorities of the two nations will finalise the details regarding flight frequency, code sharing, cargo and other issues in the near future before starting commercial flights between the nations."
A separate agreement has also been signed to boost bilateral cooperation and cultural exchange between both countries, he added.
Cambodian officials, on the occasion, said that they wanted to establish air links with Nepal, particularly the upcoming Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa, during talks at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Air Services Negotiation Event in Antalya, Turkey, in 2015. However, the much delayed airport project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2019. The government plans to open the airport from next June to help meet its goal of hosting 2 million tourists during the Visit Nepal 2020 campaign.
The international airport in Bhairahawa has been constructed to promote Lumbini – the birth place of Lord Buddha – as a Buddhist pilgrimage hub. Nepal is planning to promote Buddhist pilgrimage through the Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa.
According to International Finance Corporation (IFC) – a member of the World Bank Group – the Buddhist Circuit comprising Nepal and India is an important pilgrimage destination for the 450 million practicing Buddhists as well as travelers interested in history, culture or religion across the globe.
Since 1963, Nepal has signed ASAs with 39 countries, with Cambodia being the latest.
Nepal had recently revised the ASA with Thailand and increased the number of weekly flights from 10 to 28.

Wataniya Airways to fly to Nepal in November

Wataniya Airways is flying to Kathmandu connecting Kuwait for the first time from November.
Wataniya Airways of Kuwait has been granted permission to operate flights to Nepal, according to the Tourism Ministry. "It will be the first airline from Kuwait to serve Kathmandu when it begins flights by November."
There is no direct air connection between Nepali and Kuwait and currently travelers have to travel via Saudi Arabia. "Wataniya that will be operating a daily flight has received an operating authorisation today,” said under-secretary at the Tourism Ministry Pramod Nepal. "The service is expected to benefit Nepali migrant workers in Kuwait,” he said, adding that a direct flight is also expected to make travelling cheaper. "The flight is also likely to increase tourist movement from Kuwait to Nepal."
Nepal and Kuwait signed an air service agreement (ASA) in January 2006. The Wataniya Airways that has resumed its services in July after ceasing operations in 2011, t had closed after three years in the business due to its financial problem and political instability in the Middle East.
The airways is also planning to fly to various other destinations – including Egypt, the UAE, Lebanon, Jordan, Iran, India, Pakistan and Europe – except Kathmandu. It operates two narrow-body Airbus A320s and plans to launch services to 16 destinations, the airlines said.
Since Kuwait is the fifth biggest employer of Nepali workers, the direct flight might help Nepali migrant workers make their trip easy. According to the Department of Foreign Employment, in the last fiscal year, some 12,507 Nepalis received permits to work in Kuwait. In 2015-16, some 10,049 Nepali job aspirants left for Kuwait.

Himalaya offers direct Kathmandu-Dammam flights

Privately airliner Himalaya Airlines announced the launch of its first direct flight from Kathmandu to the Saudi Arabia city of Dammam from September 1.
The Kathmandu-Dammam airfare will start from Rs 23,800 for one-way and Rs 38,000 for a round trip, exclusive of taxes, the domestic private carrier said, adding that the flight would facilitate Nepali migrant workers to return home during the upcoming Dashain and Tihar festivals. "Dammam is one of the most sought after destination of Nepalis for foreign employment with an estimated 500,000 Nepalis working there currently."
In 2015, the government had amended the air service agreement (ASA) with Saudi Arabia, boosting the frequency between the two countries to 28 weekly flights from two weekly flights. Nepal had signed the ASA with Saudi Arabia in October 1999 permitting flights to Riyadh only. The revised ASA has accepted a multiple designation system and Saudi Arabia has adopted an open sky policy at its international airport in Dammam, which means there will be no restriction on the frequency.
The daily direct flight would ease the travel for thousands of Nepalis, who have been paying hefty ticket airfares as well as spending more travel time while commuting between Saudi Arab and Kathmandu.
Himalaya will depart from Tribhuvan International Airport at 22:30 hours (local time) and will arrive in King Fadh International Airport, Dammam at 00:50 hours (local time) the next day, the airliner said in a press note. "The return flight will depart from Fadh International Airport, Dammam at 01:50 hours (local time) and will arrive in Kathmandu at 09:15 hours (local time)."
According to Himalaya Airlines vice president of Administration Vijay Shrestha the company is always looking forward to provide the passengers with the most convenient and time-efficient way of air travel. "Considering the hours of hassle Nepalis have been facing while traveling to Saudi Arabia, we believe the launch of this direct flight will definitely achieve our objective," he said, adding that the launch of daily direct flight to Dammam is Himalaya Airlines special Festival gift.
The free baggage allowance for both the routes is 40 kg for business class and 30 kg for economy class. The airline has appointed Asfar Travel and Tourism as its general sales agents, who will represent the airline in Saudi Arabia and will be responsible for the airline’s sales and marketing, market development, reservations and ticketing services.
Established in August 2014, Himalaya Airlines, a Nepal China Joint Venture, is a private airline of Nepal providing international air service.  

Nepal to be air transit route, accoding to revised ASA with China

Nepal is going to be the air transit route for international airlines, according to the revised Nepal-China Air Service Agreement (ASA) signed here today.

China has also approved the access of new Trans-Himalaya 1 (Bangkok-Kolkata-Nepalgunj-Indek in Pakistan), 2 and 3 airspaces for international air traffic that is going to benefit Nepal as the international airlines flying on Nepal's sky will pay the country, according to the international law.

Earlier, Nepal had proposed the three air routes at different meetings of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) but the most beneficial route – the Trans-Himalaya 2 – will be more beneficial.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has kept the Himalaya 2 airspace as a future requirement.

Implementation of the new airspace will allow international airlines to fly in the Nepali airspace, savings them fuel and distance, while Nepal will get revenue from it.

But Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) and Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) will sign a letter of intent for the development of these three airspaces soon to formalise the new routes.

Likewise, Nepal’s proposal of 'circle navigation flights' for Nepali helicopters to Kailash-Mansarovar in Tibet is yet to be decided by China.

The  revised bilateral air services agreement (ASA) – that tourism secretary Sushil Ghimire and CAAC’s deputy administrator Xia Xinghua signed the on behalf of their respective governments here today – also permitted the operation of 56 flights per week with any types of aircraft on a reciprocal basis. "Under the old ASA, Chinese airlines were allowed to operate 14 flights per week," according to the Ministry of Tourism.

Similarly, an additional seven flights per week will be added annually to 70 flights per week by 2016, according to the revised ASA that could be further revised, if one of the countries feels the need for more than 70 flights a week.

Permitted bi-lateral and third-party code-sharing by carriers of the two countries, the revised agreement has also given unlimited traffic rights for cargo-only flights with any types of aircraft.

China, on the occasion, also added a new point – Xian – one of the oldest cities in China that has more than 3,100 years of history for Nepali carriers making the seventh destination apart from Chengdu, Lhahsa, Beijing, Kunming, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Currently, Air China flies on Kathmandu-Lhasa route, Chine Estern flies on Kathmandu-Kunming route, China Southern links Kathmandu to Guangzhou, and Sichuan Airlines has expressed interest in connecting Nepal soon, whereas Nepali airlines do not fly to any of the Chinese cities. But China has agreed to remove the restriction for Nepali carriers to operate in Lhasa, as and when, they wish.

Earlier, the two neighbours had signed the first ASA in 2003 and Air China started its direct flight in 2004.

Nepal, India to sign tourism deal

Nepal and India are going to sign a landmark tourism deal that is expected to boost tourism bilaterally.

The deal is also expected to create an environment for injecting more investment in a big way.

The draft for the proposed memorandum of understanding (MoU) on bilateral tourism investment and cooperation prepared by the two sides is in its final stages with a joint working group giving it a final shape. A technical team comprising experts in the travel and tourism sectors from both countries has prepared a draft MoU. It is a government-to-government pact which will explore and identify areas of cooperation on mutual basis.

The draft proposes that both sides should facilitate overland travel by tourists, create hassle-free transport movement at major crossing points, and ease border formalities at the customs points.

The joint panel also suggested that Nepal cash in on the travel benefits provided to Indian holiday-makers like leave travel concession with effective coordination and cooperation with and among the India Railways and airlines to boost the market on both sides and opening of the Banbasa bridge over Sarada-Mahakali river on the India-Nepal border in western Nepal.

The joint technical team has also suggested holding an annual India-Nepal forum meeting for joint tourism promotion.

Nepal has also proposed revision of the air service agreement (ASA) with India if the existing air seats facility proves inadequate in catering to increasing movement of travelers.

According to spokesperson at the Tourism Ministry Mohan Krishna Sapkota, the deal will help bring investment, boost tourism and provide better facilities to tourists traveling to both countries as both the countries offer huge opportunities in the sector.

Meanwhile, a recent Indian government move on visa liberalisation to extend the visa-on-arrival facility to travellers from nearly 180 countries from this year will also benefit Nepali tourism sector.