Proposals solicited to operate international flights

CB Adhikari

Kathmandu: Nepal government has solicited proposals from domestic airlines seeking to operate international flights.

Ministry for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation called for the proposals from the domestic airline companies to fulfill the existing pre-requisites to seek permission to operate the international flights.

According to the Ministry, three classes of international flights can be registered with the office of registration which includes Class A, Class B and Class C.

To seek the permit to operate class A type of international flights, the airline company must deposit one billion and for Class B a deposit of Rs 750 million and for Class C a deposit of Rs 500 million.

The proposals for the international flights are being asked to reduce the risk of COVID-19 and fulfill the need to operate international flights for cargo, chartered flights as per the increasing need of the hour and also prompted by Gautam Buddha International Airport on the brink of completion.

Currently, Nepal Airlines, Himalaya Airlines, Buddha Airlines and Sree Airlines have been operating international flights although 10 helicopter and 19 other airways are operating their domestic flight services in Nepal.