KATHMANDU, Aug 20: The government has moved forward with an action plan to operate two national pride projects - Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) and Pokhara Regional International Airport (PRIA) - in full capacity.
The government has decided to introduce various concessions and attractive packages for airlines for the operation of the two airports, which have not been operating regular international flights for a long time following the completion of construction.
The Cabinet meeting held on August 12 had approved an action plan for the overall improvement of the civil aviation sector. The meeting had also approved action plans related to the operation of GBIA and PRIA.
Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has decided to provide a discount on aviation fuel used for international flights from these airports, to facilitate the operation of the airports in accordance with the government's policy of operating both international airports in full capacity.
The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies recently announced through a statement that a meeting of the Board of Directors of the NOC, held on August 15, decided to reduce the current price of aviation fuel by US$ 100 per kiloliter, effective from August 17 until further notice.
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The government plans to give concessions on air fuel and tickets to operate the international airport at full capacity. A meeting was held on August 17, under the leadership of the prime minister with ministers and officials of the relevant ministries. The meeting discussed providing concessions based on the recommendations provided by a task force formed to study the options and measures to bring the two airports into full operation.
According to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, an action plan has been formulated to provide concessions on air tickets, ground handling and air fuel till August 2026 to bring the two international airports into operation at full capacity.
The home ministry has planned to manage the operation of the Immigration Office and Visa Center.
On August 2, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli held a high-level discussion on the full capacity operation of the GBIA and the PRIA.
In the discussion, the prime minister discussed options and measures to operate both international airports at full capacity, considering the current flight volume and passenger management at Tribhuvan International Airport. He directed the creation of an environment to facilitate regular international flight operations from both airports.
Since the two international airports had not been operating at full capacity for a long time after their construction, Prime Minister Oli urged the officials to take it seriously.
Meanwhile, air service operators met Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Sunday to discuss the issues in the aviation sector. During a meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Prime Minister Oli consulted with the aircraft operators about the improvement as well as the problems and solutions in this sector.
Prime Minister Oli instructed the airline operators to focus on enhancing air safety. He urged the operators to suggest ways to solve the problems prevalent in this area. The prime minister also urged the operators to take initiatives to lift the ban imposed by the European Union (EU) on Nepal's airlines.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has granted permission to Thai AirAsia to operate flights from Thailand to Nepal. CAAN has approved four weekly flights from the GBIA and three weekly flights from Kathmandu for Thai AirAsia. The airliner has taken permission to operate flights from September 20.
According to the airport, Kuwait's Jazeera Airlines has also submitted a document to CAAN to resume flights at the GBIA from September 25. The airline company has sought permission to operate three flights a week. The airline had halted its flights for the past 10 months.
The GBIA came into operation on May 16, 2022 while the PRIA was inaugurated six months later. Although there have been international flights at the GBIA for a certain time, PRIA has not seen any international commercial flights, except for chartered flights.
