KATHMANDU, AUGUST 28
The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation today asked the major international air carriers to operate from the Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport and Pokhara Regional International Airport as an alternative to the Tribhuvan international Airport.
During a meeting at the MoCTCA, Minister Badri Prasad Pandey requested the international airlines operators to operate flights from newly-built international airports offering them some incentives to make operations viable.
The operators, however, said that they could not immediately commence flights from GBIA/PRIA as these airports face several challenges ranging from the issues of aviation safety to basic infrastructural services.
"The operators will enjoy a full waiver on PSC charge, landing, parking and navigation fees as well as charges levied by Nepal Tourism Board on international passengers," the ministry offered, adding that they would also get 75 per cent waiver on ground handling services. The government will work on quarantine facilities, infrastructure development of all essential services for migrant workers and amendment to air service agreement to incorporate code sharing and fifth freedom rights, the operators were told.
The operators have demanded that the government should prepare a viable ground for the commercial operations before dictating them to divert their flights to GBIA/PRIA from TIA. "The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has been playing a dirty game with the major international air operators enforcing unrealistic measures that ultimately hamper aviation safety.
GBIA, built with over Rs 40 billion investment, faces several challenges, particularly during the winter season. "It is difficult to operate flights in foggy weather due to lack of instrumental landing system at GBIA," the operators noted. The government would establish and implement RNP-AR route for GBIA, the ministry replied.
The lack of visa centers, labour offices, manpower agencies and health examinations also prevents international airlines from getting enough passengers to operate from GBIA to the Gulf countries,
the operators shared. International airlines also noted that the lack of an easy, accessible and convenient air route was another reason for avoiding GBIA.
First and foremost, the government must clear the hurdles and win the confidence of airlines operators by implementing its plans, the stakeholders who attended the meeting at the ministry said.
