Addressing a press briefing at the airport, Director of Flight Operation of AirAsia, Azhanudin Shah Azman said the operation of the flight was not simply providing easy and cheaper air connection to 150 routes but also was going to bring in a large number of tourists. [break]Azman said the operation will foster new business travelers between South East Asia and Nepal.
Secretary of Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation Dr Ganesh Raj Joshi welcomed the first flight. He said cheaper tickets were directly saving the traveling cost of migrant workers.
The airline will operate two flights a week on Kula Lumpur-Kathmandu-Kula Lumpur sector that is on every Tuesday and Thursday. The price of one-way ticket starts from Rs 11,000 (taxes extra). The scheduled flights will depart from Tribhuwan International Airport on 15:30 on these days.
The airline also features business class with flatbed seats, built-in personal utilities such as tray table, drink holder, privacy screen and others. The premium seat guests can also enjoy priority check-in, 20kg baggage allowance, complimentary meal and other facilities.
Hari Man Lama, Executive Chairman of Incentive Tours and Travels, the general sales agent of AirAsia in Nepal said tickets at present was available through point of sales only and global booking through online will be available shortly. “ With this operation, large number of potential tourist of South East Asia will have easy connectivity to Nepal,” added he.
Lama said the flight frequency was going to be increased to four times a week from September. The airlines has permission to operate up to seven flight a week.
AirAsia X is targeting diverse segment, including business travelers, migrant workers, students and tourist.
About 350 workers leave for the Malaysian capital from TIA everyday and there are more than 500,000 Nepalis working in Malaysia. The number of tourist arrivals from Malaysia was limited to 3,000 in first six months of 2012.
The airlines was named world´s best low cost ariline in the annual world airline suvey for three consecutive year till 2011.
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