Govt preparation of air service agreements with four countries

KATHMANDU, Oct 20: In order to expand the air service network, the government has prepared to enter into an air service agreement in four countries. The government has prepared to sign bilateral air service agreements with the US, Switzerland, Rwanda and Indonesia.

Budhisagar Lamichhane, Joint Secretary of the Ministry, said that the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation is preparing to conclude an agreement within the current fiscal year. He said, "The ministry is making internal preparations for a bilateral air service agreement with the United States, Switzerland, Rwanda and Indonesia." The agreement will help in the promotion of Nepal's tourism and help in the expansion of Nepal's air network."

Joint Secretary Lamichhane says that since there is no direct air service between Nepal and the US, the US has shown interest in an air service agreement and accordingly the ministry has moved forward with the process. After the air service agreement, direct air flights between the two countries will be opened. Currently, because Nepal-USA-Nepal does not have a direct air network, flights are being conducted as if it were a third country.

"There may be a direct flight in the coming days, or there may be other options," said Joint Secretary Lamichhane, "to create a comfortable air service environment for passengers and to increase air connectivity in the world, the ministry has prepared to enter into air service agreements with 4 countries." The government has signed bilateral air agreements with the European Union (EU) and 40 other countries. According to the ministry, the ministry has advanced the process to expand Nepal's air service to America and African countries. Joint Secretary Lamichhane said that the air service agreement with Rwanda has been prepared in order to expand the air service network with African countries. He said, "This will open the way for Nepal's air service network with Africa, and it will help to increase the number of tourist arrivals in Nepal." According to the Ministry, looking at the potential of countries with high tourism potential and due to lack of direct air service, the Ministry is also coordinating with other countries that have air agreements.

 The ministry has informed that it is in the final stage of the agreement after completing all the procedures for the air service agreement with Indonesia. "We have completed all the procedures and sent the documents.

 After receiving a response from Indonesia, it will go to the agreement stage," says Joint Secretary Lamichhane. The ministry is making internal preparations in Switzerland as well. Joint Secretary Lamichhane said that the agreement to enter into an air agreement between the two countries is in the final stage and a formal agreement will be signed soon.

The ministry says that it is in the pipeline for an agreement with Finland and Russia as well. The government recently signed an air service agreement with Australia as the 40th country. Lamichhane said that although the ministry has prepared air service agreements with other countries, due to the lack of coordination with various countries due to Covid-19, in the future, the process of air service agreements will be further increased by looking at the needs and possibilities.