Himalaya Airlines to operate Pokhara-Lhasa flights

Pokhara Regional International Airport (PRIA) is going to see first regular international flight, almost two years after coming into operations. A Nepal-China joint airline company Himalaya Airlines is starting its regular international flights between Pokhara and Lhasa of China. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) confirmed the flights. "The Pokara-Lhasa flight is expected to start from the first week of January, 2025," the aviation sector regulator confirmed.

Himalaya Airlines has already submitted its schedule for the Pokhara-Lhasa route, informed CAAN joint spokesperson Gyanendra Bhul. "After almost two years, Pokhara Regional International Airport is expected to witness international flights," he said, adding that regular flights on the route could significantly boost the inflow of Chinese tourists to Pokhara.

Himalaya Airlines is planning to start flights on Pokhara-Lhasa route using a 144-seat Airbus A-319. "The flights will begin as soon as the Civil Aviation Administration of China grants permission,” Bhul said, adding that Nepal side has completed all necessary preparations.

According to the schedule, the airline will operate a Kathmandu-Lhasa-Pokhara flight on Mondays, spending the night in Pokhara before flying Pokhara-Lhasa-Kathmandu on Tuesdays. 

Himalaya Airlines is currently flying on Kathmandu-Lhasa route. But due to lack of passengers the flights -- earlier three times a week (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays) -- have been reduced and irregular. But the airlines has prepared a new schedule and hopefully continue the regular flights.

Himalaya Airlines has also received approval for Kathmandu-Lhasa-Kathmandu flights on Wednesdays and Fridays.

CAAN suspends license of two pilots

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) today suspended the license of two pilots.

CAAN spokesperson and deputy director general Jagannath Niraula confirmed the suspension of license of Senior Captain Santosh Shah and Captain Sanjib Shrestha, the pilots of the Tara Air, who were engaged in a physical fight in the premises of the airport at Manthali, Ramechhap this morning.

"The license of the two senior captains have been suspended until further notice due to the breach of the security standard. Their license will be revoked or other action, according to the law, might be taken against them after detailed investigation," Niraula added.

The aviation sector regulator stated that the reason behind the two pilots belonging to the same company resorting to physical fight is not known yet. "A thorough investigation could also result in the revocation of their licenses and the imposition of other punitive measures in accordance with regulations," the regulator said, adding that it has also suspended the station manager of the Manthali Airport.

In the last 10 months, CAAN has taken action against some 20 pilots. "The increasing indiscipline among the pilots has been a serious concern lately," the regulatory authority claimed.

Meanwhile, Senior Captain Shah has filed a case against Captain Shrestha at the police station.

Earlier today morning, a fight erupted between two Tara Air pilots at Ramechhap Airport, raising concerns within the aviation community. The fight occurred at 8 AM, when a TwinOtter aircraft operated by Tara Air landed at Ramechhap Airport from Lukla.

Though, the exact cause of the fight remains undisclosed, the eyewitnesses claimed that they 

"I am currently probing the incident of Senior Captain Santosh Shah, who had piloted the aircraft arriving from Lukla at 8 AM, and Captain Sanjeev Shrestha, who was scheduled to take the aircraft back to Lukla," station manager of Manthali Airport Ashok Thapa aid this morning.

According to informed sources, the fight occurred during the duty changeover. As Senior Captain Shah was heading towards the airport building, Captain Shrestha was en route to the aircraft. The fight began when Captain Shrestha pushed Captain Shah, who had extended his hand for a handshake. Subsequently, a physical confrontation ensued.

Captain Shah reported an injury to his hand and left for treatment in the Manthali market, while Captain Sanjeev Shrestha continued to Lukla with the aircraft. The aircraft and Captain Shrestha have since been grounded at Lukla Airport.

"Sanjeev mentioned that it was a personal matter, and said that he can operate the aircraft," informed the Manthali airport. "Currently, the aircraft and Captain Shrestha remain grounded at Lukla airport, while Senior Captain Shah has been grounded in Ramechhap."

Tara Airlines' spokesperson Sudarshan Bertaula informed that the company is inquiring into the matter. "This fight appears to be rooted in their personal issues and is unrelated to the airline's operations or flights," he said, adding that the company has started internal investigation to ascertain the details of the incident.

Crashed Yeti Air ATR’s black box to be sent to France

The probe panel is sending black box of ATR-72 Yeti Airlines aircraft that crashed in Pokhara on January 15 to the manufacturer in France for technical analysis.

Joint secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and member-secretary of Air Crash Investigation Commission Budhisagar Lamichhane confirmed that the black box of ATR is being sent to France, along with experts next week.

It will help in the effective investigation of the accident, he said, adding that the aircraft manufacturing company in France will analyse it independently. “The expert team of the Air Crash Investigation Commission will also go to France along with the black box.”

The probe panel has so far conducted on-site monitoring of the accident site, collected some necessary documents and discussed with experts.

The Yeti Airlines flight with call sign 9-ANC (ATR-72-212) flying from Kathmandu to Pokhara crashed in the Seti River gorge, killing all the passengers and crew members on the plane. But the body of one person is yet to be found.

Prime Minister to inaugurate Pokhara Regional International Airport on January 1

As the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) is all set for the grand opening of Pokhara Regional International Airport (PRIA) in Pokhara, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' will inaugurate the airport on Sunday.

Pokhara Metropolis has announced a public holiday on Sunday to mark the inauguration and operation of Regional International Airport as it is going to be formally operate on the first day of the Gregorian calendar 2023 AD, 

Except Prime Minister Dahal, deputy prime ministers Bishnu Paudel and Rabi Lamichhane, and top leaders of various political parties, industrialists and tourism professionals will take part in the opening ceremony, according to the CAAN.

The crew and passengers of the aircraft landing at the airport from the first flight in the morning will be welcomed with garlands, the CAAN has palnned.

From Sunday, all domestic flights will be operated from the new airport as Buddha, Yeti and Sourya Air have already conducted the test flight and completed preparations including office management to start flying from the new airport.

The then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had laid the foundation of the airport on April 13, 2016, though it took yet another year to start construction. A Chinese company China CAMCE started the construction work one-and-a-half years after the foundation stone was laid. But the China CAMCE has handed over new airport to Nepal in the third week of last March, though only 93 per cent work was completed. The airport was handed over to Nepal on the occasion of Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi's visit to Nepal.

Narrow-body aircraft including Airbus A-320 and Boeing 757-200 that has capacity to carry less than 200 passengers can take off and land at the airport, according to director of Pokhara Regional International Airport Bikram Gautam. "The aircraft, at present however, can only land from the east in the one-way approach airport."

The airport has parking lots that can accommodate 11 aircraft including three large and eight small ones. The runway of the airport is 2,500 meters and the width is 45 meters and the thickness of the runway is 34 cm, Gautam informed, adding that the airport has the capacity to handle 610 passengers per hour during peak hours. "There will be 18-hour daily flights to and from Pokhara International Airport beginning February 23."

Estimated to have cost around Rs 22 billion with concessional loan from China’s Export-Import (Exim) Bank, the airport has domestic and international terminal buildings spread over 14,000 sq meters of land. The China CAMCE has constructed the airport on EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) model.

Four decades ago, some 3,106 ropanis of land in wards 14, 15 and 18 in Pokhara was acquired to construct the airport. After the land was not enough, another 521 ropanis of land was acquired. But the construction was started by acquiring another 60 acres of land to build a 10 km road around the airport.

The airport that is expected to be a milestone in the promotion of tourism, also wants to convey the message to the world that Nepal is eager to welcome more tourists, , according to the chairman of the Pokhara Tourism Council, Pom Narayan Shrestha. Pokhara's direct connection with international cities will help promote Pokhara more, he said, adding that Pokhara is a major tourist destination and the tourism sector will benefit more with the operation of the airport. "The tourism sector affected by Covid-19 will get relief with the increase in tourist arrivals with the operation of the new airport."

Nepal Airlines starts regular flights to Saudi Arabia

The national flag carrier has started its regular flights to Saudi Arabia, for the first time.

The , Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) wide body A330 aircraft made its inaugural flight to Riyadh today.

During the inauguration programme, executive chairman of NAC Yuvraj Adhikari said that the historic flight to Riyadh has been launched overcoming various obstacles.

The inaugural flight was attended by Adhikari, senior officials of various ministries, representatives of various departments and businessmen. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) had recently given permission to NAC to operate flights to Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

The one-way fare for Kathmandu-Riyadh has been fixed at Rs 37,000, informed the national flag carrier. “Only one-way fares have been fixed,” according to the NAC. “The NAC has received a slot for both wide body and narrow body ships to fly to Saudi Arabia.”

The one-way flight from Kathmandu to Riyadh will take six hours and 15 minutes but the Riyadh-Kathmandu flight will take only four hours and 50 minutes.

Nepal Airlines to start regular flights to Saudi Arabia from April 22

 The national flag carrier is flying to Saudi Arabia on a regular basis, for the first time, from April 22.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has already permitted Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) to operate flights to Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, the authority confirmed.

The NAC is starting regular flights on Kathmandu-Riyadh-Kathmandu sector according to its business plan, the national flag carrier also confirmed, adding that it had been preparing to fly on the route for a quite long time but was not granted permission.

Earlier, only a private airliner, Himalayan Airlines, was allowed to operate flights to Saudi Arabia. Now that the NAC has regular flights, it is expected the fare on the route to come down to benefit the passengers.

Government forms probe committee to study aviation sector

The government has formed a probe committee domestic aircraft.

"The investigative committee will help domestic airlines make more robust, safe and effective," confirmed the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. "A meeting chaired by prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, who is also in charge of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, formed a five-member probe committee led by joint secretary of the ministry Buddhisagar Lamichhane."

"The committee has former director of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Bheshraj Subedi, senior captain Krishna Bahadur Poudel and joint secretary at the ministry Pramod Nepal as members and CAAN general manager Laxman Devkota as member secretary," the ministry added. 

A committee will study the physical and mechanical condition of domestic airlines in Nepal regarding various problems seen in their aircrafts and helicopters recently, a press note issued by the ministry reads, adding that the committee has been entrusted with the responsibility to submit the report within three months with suggestions. "The committee will study and observe the physical, mechanical and archival condition of all the aircrafts flying in and out of Nepal."

The committee is also responsible for reviewing the CAAN’s test report on whether the airline has complied with the safety standards approved by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the press note reads. "It will also examine whether the criteria for crew members have been met."

The probe committee will make suggestions to improve the quality of air safety by studying the safety related work to be followed by the CAAN. “We have a responsibility to ensure the safety of the general public and tourists by making Nepal's air service reliable and trustworthy," the statement reads.

A Buddha Air flight from Kathmandu to Biratnagar managed a safe landing at Kathmandu airport as it failed to land at Biratnagar airport due to technical glitch.

CAAN witnesses significant drop revenue

 Covid-19 pandemic has hit the revenue of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) hard in the past two years.

According to CAAN’s annual progress report of the fiscal year 2020-21, its income dropped by 43 per cent compared to the projected income of Rs 10.544 billion of the previous year. "Its income went down by 43 per cent in the first year of Covid-19 outbreak and the figure increased to 72 per cent the following year," the report reads, adding that the Covid-19 outbreak since the beginning of 2020 had adversely hit projects and programmes funded by the CAAN  in the last fiscal year.

According to the report, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) witnessed a significant fall in the number of air passengers since the outbreak of the Covid-19. "The infection has taken its toll the most on air transport," the report reads, adding that the year 2020 witnessed a 73.27 per cent fall in air passengers in international flights compared to 2019. "In 2019, over 4.1 million passengers took international flights as opposed to over 1.1 million in 2020."

Similarly, more than 1.2 million passengers took domestic flights in 2020 compared to over 3.1 million in 2019. "In 2020 the number of domestic passengers drop by 59.46 per cent than in 2019."

The report also reads that construction of many airport infrastructure development projects with investments of the government and development partners have also been hit hard due to Covid-19 and prohibition orders.

Domestic flights to resume from July 1

The domestic airline industry is going to resume the service from July 1.

Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) started preparations to resume domestic flights from July 1, following the cabinet decision to allow the flights.

The domestic airlines are allowed only fifty per cent passenger as a safety measure against the Covid-19 spread. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) directed the airlines to ensure the implementation of all necessary safety protocols.

The authority has also provided airline staffers a week to reside out of the Kathmandu valley to return to their work stations in line with the readjusted timing of the resumption of domestic flights.

The airline companies, welcoming the government decision, started ticket booking.

Likewise, the ministry has also allowed the international flights to resume their services from tomorrow.

Domestic and international flights to resume with some restrictions

The domestic and international flights that remained suspended since the government imposed prohibitory orders shortly after the outbreak of the second wave of Covid-19 in April, will resume with some restrictions, according to the government.

The government has announced to resume both domestic and international flights, confirmed the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. "The domestic flights will be allowed to operate with 50 per cent seat occupancy, while international flights will be operated as per the safety protocol of the government," the notice published by the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers reads. 

However, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation will fix the number of flights for each airlines. But it is said that government is allowing the airlines to operate half the flights, from what they used to operate before Covid-19. The Cabinet meeting, on Monday, decided to lift the restrictions for domestic services from Sunday.

The domestic airlines welcomed the government decision saying that the resumption of flights would boost business confidence.

The government has also decided to resume regular international flights to and from Kathmandu in some destinations especially the labour destinations, reads the notice. Though, the exact number of Nepali migrant workers stuck abroad is unknown, it is estimated that some 1,500 to 2,000 Nepalis are waiting to return home from each of the popular labour destination countries.

They are mostly those workers whose contracts or visas have expired. Likewise, the flights will also help to bring back the bodies of dead migrant workers that have remained in many destination countries. Some 70 to 80 bodies of Nepali migrant workers are stranded in different labour destinations, according to the government.

With the new decisions, Nepal Airlines and Qatar Airways will be allowed to operate two flights each a week in Kathmandu-Doha sector. Similarly, four flights each a week will be allowed in Kathmandu-Doha sector, Kathmandu-Kwalalumpur sector, two flights each a week in Kathmandu-Istanbul sector, Kathmandu-Damam and Kathmandu-Kuwait sectors.

The government will also allow to operate one flight each a week in Kathmandu-Muscat, Kathmandu- Seoul, Kathmandu-Tokyo, Kathmandu-Chhengdu and Kathmandu-Guangzhou sectors.

Earlier, except for two weekly flights on the Kathmandu-Delhi sector, Nepal halted all domestic flights from midnight of May 3, and all international flights from midnight of May 6 as the coronavirus looked like spreading out of control. The two flights on the Kathmandu-New Delhi route, one each for Nepal Airlines and Air India remain unchanged, under an air bubble arrangement.

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.

Nepal France plan promotion of common agenda

 Nepal and France today stressed the importance of the high-level visits and interactions to promote the agendas of common interest.

During the second meeting of Nepal-France Bilateral Consultation Mechanism – virtually held with France as the host – that concluded today, both the nations also held a wide range of matters relating to bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries.

The two sides also exchanged views on the overall state of bilateral relations between the two countries since the official visit of the Prime Minister of Nepal to France in June 2019, according to a press note issued by the Foreign Ministry.

“The meeting discussed ways and means to promote bilateral trade and investment, transfer of technology and tourism for mutual benefit,” the press note reads, adding that the centuries-old cultural exchange and the ever-increasing people-to-people contacts were also discussed during the meeting. “While highlighting the efforts at the national and international levels towards addressing the adverse impacts of climate change, the two sides also shared their national experiences as well as commitment to continuing mutual cooperation in the context of Covid-19.”

The two sides also discussed possible cooperation in mutually beneficial areas at multilateral level, according to the Foreign Ministry.

The Nepali delegation led by joint secretary for Europe and the Americas at the ministry Nirmal Raj Kafle and also comprised officials from the finance, industry, commerce and supply, forest and environment, and tourism ministries.

Head of Asia and Oceania division at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Bertland Lortholary led the French delegation. Ambassadors in both the capitals were part of their respective delegations. The French delegation also comprised of French ambassador to Nepal François-Xavier Léger, and deputy chief of Mission Leela Devaradjalou, whereas the Nepali delegation comprised of senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Finance, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).

Air India resumes Delhi-Kathmandu flight after nine months

 Air India resumed Delhi-Kathmandu flights from today.

The airlines – that had restricted flights to Kathmandu following Covid-19 spread – has fixed a minimum fare of Rs 9,277 for Nepali passengers, according to a press note issued by the airlines. “Air India conducted a Delhi-Kathmandu flight with more than 50 per cent today, according to the Air India’s office at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). “The narrow body aircraft Airbus 320 of Air India from Delhi landed at TIA at 11:07 am this morning with 99 passengers and returned Delhi with 92 passengers,” it confirmed.

Though, the Nepali national flag carrier has resumed Kathmandu-New Delhi flight a week ago – under air bubble rule – the Indian airlines was yet to start the flight. Both the governments have halted the sir service between two countries, after the outbreak of coronavirus in March.

Buddha Air forms internal probe panel to find out the cause of flight error

 Buddha Air has formed an internal investigation committee to find out the cause of flight error that occurred on Friday.

The private airline – issuing a press note – confirmed said that the committee has been formed to study the cause of the event of misinformation that led to an aircraft land at Pokhara instead of Janakpur. “We are alert to not let mistakes like that happen in the future,” the press note reads, adding that the airline will submit the report to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).

A Buddha Air aircraft with passengers headed to Janakpur had landed at Pokhara Airport on Friday afternoon. After landing at the airport, the aircraft was loaded with fuel and allowed to fly to its original destination Janakpur via Kathmandu.

According to the airlines, all the passengers were safely brought to their original destination. However, the mistake has raised a serious air safety and security issue. 

Kathmandu-New Delhi flights to resume soon

After nine months the flights between Kathmandu and New Delhi are resuming soon.

“Flights between Nepal and India are set to resume from next seven to 10 days,” confirmed the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA).

The ministry has started preparations to permit operation of Kathmandu-New Delhi-Kathmandu flights from next week, joint secretary at the ministry Buddhi Sagar Lamichhane said, adding that the ministry has started necessary home works to resume flights, which were halted since March due to the risk of Covid-19 pandemic. 

India has sent a concept of air-bubble through the diplomatic channels to resume the flights. “The ministry is reviewing the concept of 'air bubble' that India sent through the diplomatic channel,” he said, adding that the ministry is working on dates to operate the flights. “The airlines of both the countries would be asked to make necessary preparations to resume the flights.” 

According to the air bubble concept only the nationals of Nepal and India can get permission to fly on New Delhi-Kathmandu flight. India has signed air bubble agreement with 16 countries including Afghanistan and Maldives in South Asia, and has also sent a proposal to Nepal also. 

In the beginning, only two flights – one each from Nepal and India – will be allowed to operate. Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) will operate from Nepal and Air India will operate from India in the first phase, the ministry informed. “The number of flights will be increased based on demand later.”

The government has already resumed the regular international flights, except from India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Thailand, from September 1 after they were halted nearly six months ago following the nationwide lockdown imposed throughout the country on March 24. “The flights to the three destinations in Indian cities – New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore – have been halted due to the increasing rate of Covid-19 infection in India.

A Cabinet meeting on November 25 had decided to accept the 'air bubble model' proposed by India regarding resumption of flights between Kathmandu and New Delhi. The cabinet had decided to grant permission to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation to study and start the resumption of flights based on the need. However, the flights could be started only after the regulatory bodies of both Nepal and India, together prepare the flight standards.

Currently, some 29 airlines, including three from Nepal, are operating the international flights in various destinations of 16 countries. 

However, the number of international fights has decreased in recent days, according to the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). “In the beginning – when the international flights were opened on September 1 – there used to be up to 25 flights to various international destinations on a daily basis,” the TIA informed, adding that the number of international flights is hardly 20 – including arrival and departure – per day at present. “The number of international flights has decreased instead of increasing due to lack of passengers.”

What is air bubble agreement
'Transport Bubbles' or 'Air Travel Arrangements' are temporary arrangements between two countries aimed at restarting commercial passenger services when regular international flights are suspended as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. They are reciprocal in nature, meaning airlines from both countries enjoy similar benefits. 

Fifth phase repatriation flights to begin from tomorrow

 The government is starting the fifth phase of repatriation flights for Nepali migrant workers – stranded abroad due to Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown measures – from tomorrow.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has allowed more than 40 flights during the repatriation period that will last till August 31, according to the regulatory authority of the aviation sector. “We have allowed Nepal-based international airlines to operate more than 30 repatriation flights during the phase,” the authority confirmed, adding that some 10 flights will be conducted by international airlines, whereas Nepal Airlines will bring – stranded Nepalis home – in 17 flights from Dubai, Qatar, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. “Himalaya Airlines is scheduled to operate 14 flights to various labour destinations including Malaysia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Dubai.”

Apart from Nepal Airlines and Himalaya Airlines, CAAN has permitted international airlines including Qatar Airways, Air Arabia, Etihad Airways, Jazeera Airways, Fly Dubai and Turkish Airlines to operate 11 flights. The repatriation flights – for the fifth phase – will be operated between August 17 and August 31.

The government has however decided to bring only 500 passengers a day, half from earlier. 

As the number of coronavirus cases increased, the government has announced the resumption of scheduled international and domestic air services from September 1 only. Earlier, the suspension was supposed to be lifted from August 17 but the decision was revised in view of the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the country.

More than 50,000 Nepalis have been repatriated from abroad since the government started operating repatriation flights on June 10.

Himalaya Airlines to start fifth-phase repatriation flights

 The Himalaya Airlines is starting fifth phase of repatriation flights from August 16.

The airlines – authorised by the government to bring back home Nepalis stranded in different countries due to Covid-19 pandemic – will continue its repatriation flights till August 30, a press note issued by the airliner reads, adding that the airfare of the repatriation flights varies from $372 to $465 depending on the destination country. “The airlines will conduct flights on August 16, 18 and 20 to bring back Nepalis from Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, whereas Nepalis stranded in Doha will be repatriated via three flights on August 17, 23 and 29.”

Likewise, four chartered flights will be operated to bring back Nepalis from Dammam of Saudi Arabia on August 19, 22, 25 and 27 respectively, the airlines confirmed, adding that it will operate another four flights, one each on – August 24, 26, 28 and 30 – to bring back Nepalis from Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). “Likewise, there will be one flight on August 21 that will evacuate Nepalis from Kuwait.”

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..

Nepal lifts coronavirus lockdown from tonight

After 120 days, the government has lifted the lockdown – which was imposed to contain the spread of Covid-19 (coronavirus) – from Tuesday midnight.
The government had imposed lockdown from March 24 and revised in various stages, which has led to an almost complete halt in economic and social activities bleeding the economy red.
Spokesperson of the government, minister for Communication and Information Technology Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada confirmed that the government has decided to lift the lockdown with some sectors still under restrictions. “The educational institutions will remain closed until further decision, though admissions for new sessions will start from August 17.”
Likewise, the government has also decided to allow the hotels and restaurants to resume their businesses and services. “They can open from July 30,” he said, adding that holding feasts with large crowds, however, will not be allowed. “Businesses related to travel, tourism, trekking and mountaineering will, however, resume services from July 30.”
“A meeting of the Council of Ministers yesterday had decided to lift temporary ban on all international and domestic flights in the country,” he said, adding that the cabinet has also lifted ban on long-haul transport services, which will also resume from August 17. The short-distance transportation and movement of private vehicles – with odd and even number – has already resumed after the last revision.
With the resumption of both domestic and international flights starting from August 17, the government has also directed the Ministry of Culture Tourism and Civil Aviation to prepare safety protocol.
According to the ministry, the tourism industry that incurred a loss of over Rs 10 billion a month during the Covid-19-induced nationwide lockdown. “The ministry will first finalise safety protocols by holding consultations with stakeholders concerned,” according to tourism secretary Kedar Bahadur Adhikari.
“The flights will be resumed in three phases,” he said, adding, “In the first phase, flights will be operated to the destinations that are less affected by Covid-19.” After that, flights will be operated to other destinations in the second and third phases. During the first phase of flight resumption, the airline companies will not be allowed to operate all their aircraft at once. “Permission to operate aircraft will be given based on the destination and the number of passengers,” he said, adding that the ministry will coordinate with the Ministry of Health and Population for safety of the passengers travelling through commercial flights, if any health issue arises.
The Ministry of Health and Population is also going to prepare a new guidelines on handling of the arriving air passengers after August 17. “All passengers, who plan to arrive Nepal on charter or repatriation flights until August 16 should go to quarantine centres,” Adhikari said, adding that passengers of the scheduled commercial flights must also show their PCR report to enter Nepal thereafter. “The passengers of the scheduled international flights might also be ordered to go for self-quarantine even after producing the PCR test report.”
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) and the airlines companies are also preparing standard operating procedures to resume domestic and international flights.
Once the commercial flights start operating, the Department of Tourism is also planning to issue climbing permits for the autumn season. The department has already started preparing necessary guidelines – with Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for agencies – for climbers and trekkers, who plan to visit Nepal after August 17.

Tourism and aviation sector incurs Rs 34 billion loss

The tourism and aviation sector has incurred around Rs 34 billion during the period of lockdown, according to a report.
A committee including representatives from Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) reported that the industry might have incurred an average of Rs 10 billion loss per month. “The loss is projected to swell by an extra Rs 7 billion as of July 22,” the committee formed by the government to study the loss incurred by the sector due to lockdown following Covid-19 outbreak.
The tourism and aviation sector has been hit hard by the global travel restriction, which has brought the tourism and aviation business to a halt.
The report has been handed over to National Planning Commission (NPC) by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) today. The government has set up a Rs 50 billion fund – according to the budget for the next fiscal year – for the Covid-19 affected tourism industry and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The fund will be set up for the sectors to provide loans at five per cent interest rate for both operation of industries and payment of salaries to the workers. The budget for the next fiscal year 2020-21 has allocated Rs 200 million to work on the rehabilitation programme and on the concept of sustainable tourism development.
Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has also prepared and issued an ‘Operational Guideline with Health Protocol for Tourism Sector’ for the reopening of the tourism industry. They will need to implement workplace safety protocols, which could include providing masks, maintaining social distancing, physical workspace modifications, and screening and tracing protocols, according to the guideline.
Speaking at a press conference today, minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai said that the tourism businesses have to open with enough safety precautions. “We have issued the protocol for the tourism industry to make the businesses safe and reliable,” he said, adding that the protocol for the aviation sector is also ready. “The airlines operators along with airport operators will follow them when the service resumes.”
The government has extended the time for filing the VAT for hotels to four months, he said, adding that the ministry has also recommended a 75 per cent discount on aircraft parking fee and 50 per cent discount on acquiring license and license renewal fee.