Minister hints at possibility of ground handling of Gautam Buddha Airport from private company

KATHMANDU, June 10: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Hit Bahadur Tamang has said ground handling of Gautam Buddha International Airport could also be given to private airline companies

Minister Tamang said so while inaugurating the Second National Tourism Conference and Photo Competition organized by the Tourism Development Committee of Bagmati Province Committee of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Athot Nepal here today.     

He said the Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) is carrying out the duty of ground handling of Gautam Buddha International Airport at present but private airline companies bearing the license to make international flights could be given that responsibility if they begin regular flights being based on Gautam Buddha International Airport. He said that the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has been asked for a new beginning for the same.     

Minister Tamang expressed his confidence that direct flights to and from Gautam Buddha International Airport could be increased if the service of ground handling was initiated from the private airline companies based on competitive bidding.     

Likewise, the Tourism Minister said that the government was working on policy reforms and promoting entrepreneurs to address the challenges of the country's tourism industry.