Submitting its report to Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadga Bahadur Bishwakarma on Sunday, the committee asked the government to either introduce uniformity in airfares or narrow down difference in airfares for Nepalis and foreigners.[break]
At present, foreigners, expect Indians, have to pay dollar fare (in US dollars), which is more than double the regular fare for Nepalis.
The government had formed the committee following the Tara Air crash in December, 2010, which claimed 19 Bhutanese. It was later revealed that the Bhutanese passengers were traveling under false names.
The committee constituted representatives from Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), Ministry of Home Affairs and Airport police.
Immediately after the crash, domestic carriers had introduced a provision, making it mandatory for passengers to produce identification card while purchasing tickets and before check-in. But the carriers discontinued the provision after some time.
The committee has asked the government to amend existing laws and make it mandatory for passengers to produce identification card while purchasing tickets.
Joint-secretary of MoTCA Ranjan Krishna Aryal said one existing laws cannot compel one to produce identification card while buying air tickets.
National Civil Aviation Security Committee (NCASC) has also instructed the government to formulate necessary laws in this regard.
The committee has also suggested that the government prepare proper mechanism to determine airfare for chartered flights.
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