Thai Airways to resume regulate flights to Nepal from November 1

KATHMANDU, August 15: Thai Airways is going to resume regular operations at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) very soon. Thai Airways, which has hated its operations in Nepal for the past three years due to COVID-19, has sought permission from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal to conduct regular flights to TIA.

Accordion to Gyanendra Bhul, information officer of the authority, the airline company has requested permission to operate one flight per day throughout the week through its ‘A320-232 aircraft between Bangkok and Kathmandu from November 1, 2023.

'Thai Airways has requested permission for regular flights. After completing some procedures, the authority will give permission,’ he said. 

With the resumption of regular flights from foreign international airlines, the competition in the market has started to increase. So far, six Chinese airlines have resumed regular flights after the Covid-19 pandemic. At present, 30 international airlines are conducting flights to TIA. According to Bhul, Thai Airways used to operate 14 flights a week through its widebody aircraft in the past breaking the Qatar, Turkey, and other syndicates. "Now that Thailand will start regular flights, the competition in the market will increase," he said adding that the fare for long-distance air travel that transits to other countries will also be cheaper.

At present three airlines are flying regularly between Bangkok and Kathmandu. According to the authority, Thai Smile, a sister company of Thai Airways has been conducting regular Bangkok-Kathmandu flights from July 1 onwards. 

Thai Smile's official ticketing partner for Nepal is GSA Society International Travel. It is flying with Airbus 320 aircraft with a total capacity of 162 seats. Thai Smiles is currently operating seven flights a week, according to the authority.

Along with Thai Smile, Thailand's Thai Lion is also flying regularly to Nepal. According to the authority, Thai Lion operates three flights a week. Similarly, the country’s national flag carrier Nepal Airlines is also flying Kathmandu-Bangkok three times a week.