Nepal’s Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Badri Pandey has instructed the airlines operating international flights to and from Nepal to provide their airfare rates within the next 24 hours. Following a discussion at the ministry about the sudden rise in airfares from and to Kathmandu, he instructed the airline companies to reconsider the rise in fares. He warned of strict action if the airlines do not reconsider the increase in airfares.
Tourism Minister Pandey also expressed anger that the five-point agreement reached with the civil aviation regulatory body was not implemented by the airlines companies. He alerted towards the national flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation and Himalaya Airlines also imposing high airfares. Meanwhile, Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Ganesh Pandey, said if the agreement (to maintain fair airfares) is not implemented a notice will be published inviting new airlines company to provide service.
According to sources, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Pradeep Adhikari said that the airlines failed to implement the five-point agreement regarding air fare control and instead indulged in showing an artificial shortage and black marketeering. On November 9, CAAN and the stakeholders agreed on a five-point agreement to maintain prescribed airfares and ensure that tickets are available in a convenient and accessible manner. This agreement was made as a response to complaints about increased airfares following the closure of Tribhuvan International Airport for 10 hours daily due to its ongoing upgrade.
