According to Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), Air China has stopped its flight to Lhasa for the month of July, citing operational reason. The airline used to fly seven times a week on Lhasa-Kathmandu-Lhasa route. [break]
Similarly, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has reduced its flights to two flights a week from four flights a week recorded on normal days.
Ram Dinesh Lal Karna, manager of flight schedule and permission section of CAAN, said international airlines have reported decrease in flight occupancy during this off-season. "Airlines enjoying over 90 percent occupancy on normal days are seeing significant decline in occupancy," Karna added.
According to sources, Jet Airways and Qatar Airways are operating with occupancy of 50 to 60 percent. Currently, 25 airlines operate flights on international routes generating 2.05 million seats annually.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong-based Dragon Air has sought approval from CAAN - the aviation regulator - to increase its flight frequency to six flights a week from coming September. Though Hong Kong is a profitable destination for international airlines, Karna said other Chinese destinations do not hold much prospect for international airlines.
Three China-based airlines -- Air China, China Eastern and China Southern - link Kathmandu with different destinations with mainland China.
Gulf-based airlines faring well
According to CAAN sources, international airlines originating from the Gulf are in a better position than other airlines. Since these airlines largely depend on migrant workers, off-season in tourism business has not made any impact in their performance, Karna added.
Air Arabia, Bahrain Air, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways and national flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) link Kathmandu with different destinations in the Middle East. Karna said these airlines operate 49 flights a week to Sharjah, Doha, Dammam, Bahrain and Dubai.
Only permission
Oman Air, which had received permission to operate flights to Nepal in March, has already postponed the launch of its inaugural flights to Nepal three times. The airline has informed CAAN that it will fly to Kathmandu from September 2.
Likewise, the Philippines-based Spirit of Manila airlines - which received preliminary permission in 2009 - is also undecided as to when it would start flying to Nepal.
Biman Bangladesh, which has received permission to operate 14 flights a week, is only flying seven times a week on Dhaka-Kathmandu route.
Related story
Four intl’ airlines operate regular flights from GBIA
