Nepal-US direct flight process started

KATHMANDU, Sep 30: The process for Nepal-US two-way direct flight has started. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), a week ago, the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States sent preliminary correspondence for a two-way flight agreement.

The CAAN has submitted this draft to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and an official of the Authority said that it is currently being studied.

'America has been operating the aviation industry according to the Free Skies Policy. So far, the United States has been providing services in accordance with this policy in the countries where it is flying. But this policy is not adopted in our country. Now, in this situation, a discussion is being held on how to make a two-way direct flight agreement," said an official of the ministry.

He informed that it will be convenient for foreign tourists and Nepalese who come here for educational, business and sightseeing purposes when there is a direct flight between the two countries. He said that after the completion of this process, American and Nepalese airlines will start direct flights and the competition will increase and the fares will be cheaper.

Nepal-US two-way direct air service started two months ago. In the discussion, United Airlines of America, American Airlines and Nepal Airlines Corporation and Himalaya Airlines can fly on behalf of Nepal, the authority said.

At present, various international airlines including Turkish, Qatar Airways, Singapore, Thai are providing Nepal-US flight services through various transits in Nepal. Of which Singapore Airlines is taking the most passengers to America.

At present, Nepal has signed two-way direct flight agreements with 40 countries. Only 20 out of 40 destinations have regular commercial flights.