The Canadian government approached the government to establish air service ties between the two countries after Nepal opened its embassy in the North American nation.[break]
Similarly, four countries - Pakistan, United Kingdom, Bhutan and United Arab Emirates - have approached the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) for the review of existing ASA.
However, the requests for ASA revision have left the senior-officials at MoTCA in disarray as they are hesitant to take up the issue due to Air Arabia case.
The government had recently suspended permission given to Air Arabia to operate flights to Malaysia, where the UAE-based carrier enjoys fifth freedom rights.
Officials at MoTCA told Republica that the government might have to give fifth freedom rights to designated carriers of Canada and UK given the long flight distance.
The ASA with Pakistan was last reviewed about a decade ago and Pakistan´s national carrier - Pakistan International Airlines - has been operating five flights a week on Karachi-Kathmandu route. Similarly, the ASA with UK was signed in the early 1990s and reviewed in 2000. However, UK carriers have yet to operate flights to Nepal
Similarly, the ASA with Bhutan was reviewed in 2003. Bhutan´s national carrier - Druk Air - has been operating scheduled flights on Paro-Kathmandu route. Nepal´s private carrier Buddha Air also operates scheduled flight on the route.
The ASA with UAE was reviewed in 2007. As per the agreements, airlines from both the countries can operate a total of 28 flights a week. Etihad and Fly Dubai are operating daily flights between the two countries while Air Arabia operates flights twice a week.
Canada will be the 37th country to have bilateral ASA with Nepal. Nepal has so far signed ASA with 35 countries and European Union.
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