Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, July 10:

Air Nepal International is all set to go international, with flights to Dubai, Doha, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur soon with its Boeing 767 - 300 ER. The airline will initially fly thrice a week to Dubai, Doha and Bangkok and twice a week to Kuala Lumpur from July 24. It also plans to add frequency to the Kuala Lumpur destination in the near future, but the frequency will depend on market demand, said Pradeep Raj Pandey, Air Nepal chief executive officer. He was speaking at a press meet here today. The airline has “acquired” a Boeing 767 with a seating capacity of 245 on a one-year wet Aircraft Crew Maintenance Insurance (ACMI) lease from PB Air, Thailand. It, however, plans to eventually “change the current arrangement into dry lease.” The ANI has already appointed its General Sales Agents (GSA) in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. It has appointed Marco Polo Tours and Travels, Greenline Tours and Travels, Highmountain Tours and Travels and Danfe as its Special Sales Agents in Kathmandu since the airline will not have a direct ticketing counter for passengers.

The airline’s objective, according to Pandey, is to provide reliable service to passengers looking for the best value for their money through competitive price and quality service. “We won’t start a price war and we are ready to compete in the market. We are confident we can sustain in the business,” Pandey said. Air Nepal also plans to introduce the system of E-ticketing soon.