Tourism Minister Kiranti : There is an effort to connect Pokhara to int’l cities through air network

Published On: February 16, 2023 06:30 PM NPT By: SANDESH SHRESTHA

POKHARA, Feb 16: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Sudan Kiranti has said that efforts are being made to connect Pokhara to international cities through an air network. In a press conference organized by Press Center Nepal Gandaki Province at Pokhara Regional International Airport on Thursday, Minister Kiranti called Pokhara an international city.

"Pokhara international airport has good prospects," he said, "I have spoken to the ambassadors of China and India for Nepal." “Efforts are being made to establish air links with the cities of China, capital Beijing, and Tibet, including Pokhara's city with sister relations. Similarly, diplomatic initiatives are being taken to establish air links with various cities in India. But he said that he could not confirm the date of the operation of the international flights,” he added.

Minister Kiranti said that even though diplomatic efforts are being made by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to expand air links, the results may take time. “However, we believe that the results will come soon," he said.

Minister Kiranti said that he has instructed the officials of Nepal Airlines Corporation to give a business plan.

He said that he has also given instructions for creating an environment that guarantees safety in air services. "I have heard that the pilot avoids changing the parts of the aircraft by saying that they will only change them after one or two flights," he said, "but that is not allowed to happen now." The parts must be changed on the specified date.

Minister Kiranti said that after the plane crash of Yeti Airlines on January 15, he came to Pokhara on the plane of Yeti Airlines to break the psych because he was afraid to board the plane of that company. He said, "There is a panicked, frightened mentality to board Yeti Airlines aircraft. I have come to Pokhara on a Yeti Airlines aircraft. One should not think that it will always happen because an accident has happened once.”