KATHMANDU: Buddha Air, which was forced to suspend the direct Kathmandu-Surkhet flights earlier owing to low passenger numbers and lack of financial viability, is resuming the flights.

“In consideration of the changing political, social and economic situation, where Surkhet has become the provincial headquarters of Karnali Province, Buddha Air has decided to resume its direct flights between Kathmandu and Surkhet from April 14 (Nepali New Year),” as per a media release. “Even if doing so may add to the financial burden on the airlines, we are planning to operate one daily flight on 18-seater Beech 1900D aircraft.”

The statement further adds that even though the aviation authority has fixed one-way charge at Rs 11,419 per passenger, the airline is planning to issue half of the available seats at Rs 8,500 and the remaining at Rs 10,500. — HNS