Kathmandu, November 27

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has decided to provide one-year discount on airport service charges to the international airline companies operating flights to and from Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA).

As per the decision made by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCT- CA), CAAN has prepared a package plan to offer international companies that are willing to operate flights to and from GBIA.

Currently, the package plan prepared by CAAN is under discussion at the ministry, said Trilochan Poudyal, information officer of CAAN. “Aiming to attract international airline companies to operate their flights from GBIA, the ministry had decided to offer discount packages.

Based on the decision, the package plan has been submitted to the ministry,” he said.

As per him, international airline companies operating flights to and from GBIA will receive full discount on airport service charges for one year from the starting date of flight operation. The airport service charges include aircraft landing, parking, navigation and security fees at the airport. Meanwhile, in the second year from the starting date of flight operation, the airline companies will receive 50 per cent discount on airport service charges, Poudyal added.

Likewise, international companies registered in Nepal or planning to register here will get incentive packages for ground handling services. Under the packages, airline firms willing to operate ground handling on their own will be allowed at GBIA. Similarly, airline companies willing to build hangar can receive a discount on land rate for five years.

Moreover, CAAN will provide land to airline firms wanting to provide flight catering services.

Meanwhile, companies that carry out aircraft maintenance and repair will receive discounts on land rent for five years. CAAN will also provide discount on its charges for five years to the companies providing only ground handling service at GBIA.

As per Poudyal, CAAN will also provide land to the airline firms that are willing to operate hotels at airport premises. As the GBIA project has already achieved around 80 per cent of work progress, the government expects the airport to be completed within December.