Kathmandu, December 26, 2006

China Southern Airlines (CSA) is all set to begin its air operations on the Guangzhou-Kathmandu sector from January next year.

The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, on Friday, gave a green light to the airline to fly to Nepal. The airline is planning to begin its operations twice a week from January 19, Keshav Khanal, deputy director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), told this daily.

China Southern Airlines will fly on the Guangzhou-Kathmandu sector on Mondays and Fridays, according to him.

The airline is seeking approval for its flight schedule from CAAN, which will be granted in the next few days, he said. Deepak Bhatta, chairman of Gorkha Travels), confirmed that the airline is all set to begin its air operations to Nepal in January once CAAN approves its flight schedule.

“To begin with, the airline’s Boeing 757 will fly twice a week on the Guangzhou-Kathmandu sector, but it may double its frequency to four flights a week depending on the demand for air seats,” he said.

The Tourism Ministry, on Friday, permitted the airline from the Tourism Ministry to fly four times a week on the Guangzhou-Kathmandu sector, said Bhatta. CSA flies to 110 destinations across the globe from Guangzhou.

Guangzhou is a gateway to Southern China and it is one of the major trading provinces of country.

“The airline’s operation on the concerned sector will not only contribute to tourist arrivals but it will also strengthen business ties between Nepal and China,” said Khanal.

The CSA will soon be the fourth airline to begin its operations to Nepal in a row.

Nepal finish runner-up

Nepali women’s golf team of Shastika Shrestha and Kesang Lama finished runner up in the eighth SAARC Golf Championship held on December 20 and 21 in Lahore.

This is for the first time in the history of SAARC Golf Championship that Nepali women amateur team finished this far. Shrestha scored 97 and 93 while Lama scored 97 and 87 respectively on two rounds.

Lama was at her best on the second day with just one stroke behind leader Jamila Jabbar of Pakistan. Pakistan won the title while Bangladesh finished third at the Lahore Gymkhana Golf Club.

Lama also became the runner up in the friendship match played on full handicap stroke play format. Nepal finished fourth in the men’s section, which was won by Bangladesh. Sri Lanka and Pakistan came second and third respectively.

Tashi Tsering, Ravi Khadka, and Sanjay Lama were the members of the Nepali team. Ravi Khada was impressive on the first day as he shared the lead with a round of one under but failed to keep the tempo and finished nine over in three rounds.

According to Rabindra Man Shrestha, second vice president of Nepal Golf Association, Nepal will host the ninth SAARC Golf Championship in Kathmandu in 2007.