Kathmandu, October 5

National flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has announced that it will operate 12 non-scheduled flights to facilitate travellers during Dashain.

NAC Spokesperson Ram Hari Sharma said the non-scheduled flights will be conducted to three destinations — Khanidanda (Khotang), Bhojpur and Simikot.

“We will operate five non-schedule flights each to Khanidanda and Bhojpur and two flights to Simikot until October 11,” Sharma told The Himalayan Times, adding that non-scheduled flights are being launched to facilitate Dashain travellers.

According to Sharma, though there is a high demand for tickets in every route, NAC could conduct additional flights to only these three destinations due to lack of enough aircraft.

Currently, NAC is flying to domestic destinations with four aircraft. While two of the aircraft are Twin Otters, remaining two are Chinese aircraft. NAC is operating 22 flights to domestic destinations on a daily basis.

As per Airlines Operators Association of Nepal (AAON) — the umbrella body representing domestic private airlines — all private airlines are conducting non-scheduled flights as regular tickets have been sold out. “Following disruption in regular distribution of bus tickets and bad road conditions this year, the number of air passengers has soared this Dashain,” Ghanshyam Acharya, spokesperson for the AAON said.

According to Acharya, airlines have added flights to major destinations like Lamidanda, Dhangadi, Biratnagar and Nepalgunj, among other Tarai-based airports where the demand for air tickets is comparatively high.