NAC gets go-ahead to operate China flights

Kathmandu, December 4

Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has finally received permission to operate commercial flights to China.

Under the Foreign Commercial Air Transport Operators Operational Approval Rules (CCAR-129), the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) sent an official letter to NAC today allowing it to operate flights to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, informed Deepu Jwarchan, flight operation director of NAC.

As per him, the national flag carrier is preparing to operate flights from the first week of February. “As we have already completed the technical aspects, the procedures for marketing and booking tickets will be taken forth,” he said, adding that the date for the first flight to Guangzhou will be fixed soon.

NAC will operate three flights a week to Guangzhou.

NAC was informed on Tuesday that CAAC had withdrawn its decision to conduct a safety audit of the flag carrier. Earlier, CAAC had prevented NAC to operate flights to China citing air safety concerns raised by the European Union.

Jwarchan said that NAC aims to bring more tourists from China after expanding its service to the northern neighbour.

China is the second largest tourist market for Nepal.

According to the Department of Immigration, around 160,000 Chinese tourists visited Nepal in 2018, while a total of 134,281 Chinese tourists visited the country till October this year.