Kathmandu, December 3:

When the global aviation industry faced a crisis in 2001, Dragonair pulled out of many markets, including Nepal. But after seven years of absence, Dragonair’s Airbus A320 aircraft landed at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) on Sunday.

Tom Wright, general manager of Cathay Pacific — with which Dragonair has merged last September — for India, Middle East, Africa & Pakistan, thinks it is the right time to resume Nepal flight. “There couldnot be any better time than this,” he said, adding that due to peace deal, situation in Nepal is improving and tourism business is booming.

He stands correct as the very first flight was 100 per cent full with 150 economy passenger plus eight business class.

Last September Dragonair merged with Cathey Pacific. But it still operates its own bra-nd. “Dragonair brand is an established brand,” said, Rick Symington, manager — Ban-gladesh and Nepal, “so it kept its brand even after merger.”

With its four flights a week between Hong Kong and Kathmandu — on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays — Dragonair expects 50 per cent Hong Kong-bound and 50 per cent other countries passenger. “We are eyeing a major market share on Hong Kong-Kathmandu route with 50 per cent Nepali and rest international passengers,” Wright said.

As a member of the Cathay Pacific Group, Dragonair flies to niche markets in Asia in addition to its core Mainland China market. The airlines operates a fleet of 31 passenger aircraft and six freighters serving 31 destinations including 21 cities in Mainland China.

“Supported by Cathay Pacific’s international network, passengers flying with Dragonair will have better connectivity to major international destinations,” Symington supported.

“This will be able to draw international tourists — specially Chinese tourists — to Nepal through its Hong Kong hub,” Wright said, adding that Nepali passengers flying by Dragonair and further by Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong to some destinations in the UK, Europe, Schenzen countries, the US, Canada, Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand would not require transit visa.

Dragonair, jointly with the Cathay Pacific, operates a fleet of 152 aircraft and flies to 126 destinations. “Nepalis will have better option to fly to the US and Europe,” Symington said, adding that Australia-bound and US-bound passengers will benefit more.

“Dragonair is also thinking of freight operations in future, as it is the sixth largest freight carrier apart from being the sixth largest profitable airlines in Asia and the tenth largest profitable globally,” said Wright.

Recently, freight forwarders have urged the government to make the air cargo terminal 24-hour operational to boost trade. “For smooth freight operations, TIA air cargo terminal should be operational 24-hour,” he said.

All the international airlines that have once pulled out of Nepal are resuming their flights at present forcing the only international airport for upgradation to accomodate all of them. “If it upgrades its facilities, TIA can lure more international flights and freight operators that would not only boost Nepal’s export trade but also increase tourist arrivals.”