KATHMANDU, Oct 18: Airline companies have reduced the airfare along the domestic routes after facing widespread criticism that they charged hefty prices taking undue benefits amid surge in demand for Dashain.  

Following a meeting with the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Sudan Kiranti on Sunday, the air transport entrepreneurs agreed to revise the rates of the airfare. According to Airlines Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN), the price of air tickets has been reduced by up to Rs 2,500 per travel.

Earlier, the airline companies had increased the air ticket price by up to Rs 6,000 per person per travel after they opened booking for the festive season. With the hike in fare, the cost of air ticket for Kathmandu-Dhangadhi flight stood as high as Rs 17,600.

The airlines operators have reduced their rates in the eleventh hour only when almost all the tickets for Dashain have been booked at the exorbitant prices. The airline companies have denied revoking prices of the sold tickets.

Rupesh Joshi, director of Buddha Air, said they sold out most of the tickets targeted for the festive travelers. “We will reduce the fares of the tickets that remain to be sold out.”  

Despite charging exorbitant airfare, the airline operators however claimed that they have been providing their services based on the rates that were fixed for the past seven years. Issuing a press statement, the AOAN said they sustained increased costs due to soaring prices of the related equipment, fluctuation in US dollar price and the government imposing value added tax on airfares.

“The airlines companies will gradually decrease the sales of the expensive air tickets and increase the sale of cheaper ones along with reducing the rates for the Kathmandu returnee travelers during the festivals,” reads the press release issued by the AOAN.  

 
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