Tourism professionals urge CAAN to allow lights at all times in Karnali

KATHMANDU, August 15: Tourism professionals of Karnali have urged the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to withdraw its decision to halt commercial flights to Karnali after 12 PM. 

Debi Krishna Rokaya, president of the Karnali Tourism Entrepreneurs Society, said that the decision of the authority has caused problems for the common people, students, employees, and tourists and has affected the transport of daily consumables deemed necessary for the region, adding that the decision should be amended to allow flights to the region at all time if the weather is favorable.

Similarly, the society has demanded the authority to revoke the system of paying 13 percent tax on air tickets. Stating that the citizens of Karnali have no other option but to depend on air service, Rokaya said that the government has been requested to remove the obligation to pay taxes even on patients, dead bodies, and food items.

Similarly, the government has been requested to take a diplomatic initiative with the Chinese government to allow Indian tourists to pass through Hilsa in Humla to Mansarovar. President Rokaya said that the mountains of Karnali should be identified and opened to tourists for climbing. He also said that a Rara Tourism Development Authority or Karnali Development Board should be established for the overall development of Karnali. Similarly, it has been demanded that the airline companies serving in Karnali should maintain concessional fare rates by giving special discounts on air fuel, landing, parking, and taxes.