Minister instructs airlines to submit air fare rates within 24 hrs

KATHMANDU, Nov 22: Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Pandey has instructed the airlines operating international flights to and from Nepal to provide their airfare rates within the next 24 hours.     

Following a discussion at the ministry about the sudden rise in air fares from and to Kathmandu, he instructed the airline companies to reconsider the rise in fares.     

Tourism Minister Pandey also expressed anger that the five-point agreement reached with the civil aviation regulatory body was not implemented by the airlines companies. He alerted towards the national flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation and Himalaya Airlines also imposing high air fares.     

He warned of strict action if the airlines do not reconsider the increase in air fares.     

Meanwhile, Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Ganesh Pandey, said if the agreement (to maintain fair air fares) is not implemented a notice will be published inviting new airlines company to provide service.     

Director General of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Pradeep Adhikari also said that the airlines failed to implement the five-point agreement regarding air fare control and instead indulged in showing an artificial shortage and black marketeering.     

On the occasion, representatives of airlines companies were reluctant to divulge details about the air fare.