Domestic flights occupancy up , No ‘Safe Ground Handling’ facility to Himalaya Airlines

Kathmandu ( RSS ) : More than 90 per cent occupancy has been recorded in domestic flights. The domestic flights were operated amidst the COVID-19 pandemic since September 21 adopting health safety precautions.

The airlines companies operating domestic flights are providing air service by following the health safety protocols. The airlines companies are also adding the number of flights targeting the upcoming big festivals like Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath etc.

According to the airlines companies, the first week of the start of domestic flights has been encouraging. People are found drawn to travelling by air than land as air travel is fast and relatively safe from the health aspect. The government had decided to resume domestic flights from September 21.

Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) is preparing to increase the number of domestic flights from October 1.

The big airlines companies like Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, Shree Airlines and others operating domestic flights have an encouraging occupancy rate. It is said the week’s occupancy rate in the domestic flights of these airlines companies is more than 90 per cent.

The airlines companies have applied to CAAN to allow them to increase the number of flights in view of the big festivals which are drawing closer. CAAN too has reached to the conclusion of increasing the number of flights as demanded by the airlines companies.

CAAN deputy director general Raj Kumar Chhetri said they have decided to increase the number of domestic flights and the number of additional flights allotted to particular airlines company would be decided by the evening today.

The domestic airlines companies are operating flights to all destinations even in the limited numbers.

No ‘Safe Ground Handling’ facility to Himalaya Airlines

Meanwhile , Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai has directed the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) not to implement the decision to permit ‘safe ground handling’ facility to the Himalaya Airlines.

The Minister invited Director General at CAAN Rajan Pokharel at his office and directed Pokhrel not to implement the decision for the time being, according to the high-placed source.

The Minister is learnt to have communicated to DG Pokhrel that the technical capacity, commercial proposal, human resources and other aspects would be studied before taking decision. Pokhrel is further reminded that the high level leadership at the Ministry must be informed while taking any important decision.

The Minister further directed DG Pokhrel to study whether other airlines are also enjoying ground handling facility without meeting criteria. If so, their facility should be lifted and given to the Nepal Airlines, the Minister viewed.

There was a news report in media that CAAN conferred the safe ground handling facility to the Himalaya Airlines.

The sources further said the Air India and Thai Airways have been enjoying the safe ground handling without meeting criteria.

According to CAAN’s Ground Handling Directive, 2072, only the airlines conducting 35 flights in a week at Tribhuvan International Airport can be allowed for the ground handling facility. The Himalaya Airlines has got the permission of 45 flights in a week.

Meanwhile, the CAAN issued a press release and showed concern over the news report that Himalaya Airlines was permitted the ground handling facility.

Sept. 28 , 2020