Direct flight between Myanmar and GBIA is being discussed

KATHMANDU, April 21:The Nepal Tourism Board has started an initiative to operate a direct air service from Yagun, the capital of Myanmar, to the Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa.

The NTB has started this initiative with the expectation that direct flights from Myanmar, a Buddhist country, will help to promote Lumbini's tourism.

The NTB held a high-level discussion in Kathmandu on Tuesday with stakeholders including the Ambassador of Myanmar to Nepal and the Ambassador of Nepal to Myanmar, high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Lumbini Development Trust officials, and the executive director of Myanmar National Airlines.

During the conversation, the Nepali side stated that Nepal is prepared to provide any necessary help if Myanmar is willing to allow a direct flight from Myanmar to Bhairahawa. Nepal has urged that the Myanmar team continue with the procedure.

Maitya Shakyaputta, Vice President of Lumbini Development Trust, noted in the discussion program that Nepal and Myanmar have an excellent relationship and that if there is a direct flight, the number of visitors traveling to Lumbini from Myanmar will increase.
 
Buddhisagar Lamichhane, joint secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, said that Myanmar National Airlines is ready to provide various discounts, facilities and other necessary support on behalf of Nepal to fly to Gautam Buddha Airport.

He said that if direct flights are possible, both countries can benefit through tourism.
 
Similarly, Nepali Ambassador to Myanmar Harish Chandra Ghimire stated that the Myanmar team's visit to Nepal will strengthen the flight in the context of ongoing discussions with the Myanmar government about establishing a direct route between Myanmar and Bhairahawa.

Sen O, Myanmar's Ambassador to Nepal, remarked that they are optimistic about the direct flight and pledged to update them on new possibilities after reviewing its technical elements.

Likewise, Myanmar National Airlines executive head Captain Kup Khanmung stated that he had returned to Kathmandu after examining GBIA. He expressed his enthusiasm for the direct flight. He also stated that conversations will continue to develop the appropriate technical and commercial plans for this.

He also stated that discussions on the appropriate technical and business plans will continue.

Dr. Dhananjaya Regmi, Cheif Executive Offficer of Nepal Tourism Board said that the program was organized at the initiative of the board with the aim of helping to promote religious tourism by making a direct flight from Buddhist Myanmar to Lumbini and the discussion was positive.

According to him, the way to further discuss new possibilities of direct flights, business and other aspects has been opened.

'The airport has been built with a huge investment keeping Lumbini in the center. But in this situation, there are no flights from the intelligent country, we have taken this initiative to operate the airport and promote tourism in Lumbini', he said.