Far western Nepal connected via flights

Kathmandu. Passengers have felt very comfortable after the operation of Nepal Airlines Corporation at Chainpur of Bajhang in the far west, Sanphe of Achham, and Dipayal Airport of Doti.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale had instructed to provide regular service to those districts through Nepal Airlines.  At present, flights are being operated in those districts, said Ram Krishna Bhatta, chief of Geta Airport in Dhangadhi, Nepal Civil Aviation Authority.

He said, “We have started regular flights twice a week in three districts on Mondays and Fridays and we have been flying to Bajura district based on the number of passengers.”  According to the Geta Airport Office, the number of passengers has increased after the corporation started flying to three districts in the far west.

Some private sector companies have been flying at times based on the number of passengers after the corporation stopped its flights to the Far West some time ago citing a shortage of passengers and lack of ships.

The corporation has not been able to operate its air service at Patan Airport in Baitadi, one of the blacklisted airports in the hilly districts of the far west. It is said that the private sector airline Summit Air used to fly at the airport as Nepal Airlines could not fly.

Yuvraj Adhikari, executive chairman of the corporation, informed that homework is being done for regular ship operation in the hilly districts of the far west.

He said, “Currently, an airline has been sent to Nepalgunj to operate flights to the far west on a weekly basis. Preparations are underway to operate regular flights based on the number of passengers in a short time.”