NAC flight to New Delhi uncertain

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

NEW DELHI: The Nepal Airline Corporation (NAC) is unlikely to resume its flights on the Kathmandu-New Delhi sector any time soon, making it difficult for Nepalis to head home to celebrate the festivities.

The national flag carrier, which does not have an aircraft to start flying in the sector immediately, had said that regular flights would resume from October. But since the airlines is yet to publish its flight schedule for October, Nepali passengers planning to return home have been affected.

This comes as the sector has witnessed as surge in number of passengers and it is difficult to get tickets on short notice.

Air India, Spice Jet, Indigo and Jet Airlines have been operating seven flights daily from Delhi to Kathmandu. About 1,000 passengers travel from the Indian Capital to Kathmandu on these flights every day.

Passengers, who used to paying IRs 8,000 are now compelled to pay IRs 10,000 to 15,000 to go to Kathmandu from New Delhi.

“NAC is losing a huge amount of money as it has been unable to operate flights on this route for long,” said a marketing officer at the corporation’s office in New Delhi.

“It is very difficult to get tickets during the Dashain,” said Bishnu Pandey, manager of the Seraton Travel, Delhi.

NAC Delhi chief Sanjaya Panta informed that flights have been postponed due to the technical problems with aircrafts. The airline only has two Boeing jets. The 757, which has just returned from Israel, was being used in the sector.

According to a source, it will take at least one month for the 757, which went through routine maintenance, to start regular services.

NAC has been spending thousands of rupees per month for its New Delhi office. There are 36 staffers, including locals. It is also paying IRs 1.48 lakh as office rent. It is learnt that NAC has been spending about Rs 15 lakh per month for its Delhi office.