main_image
NEWS
bottom
bottom

Int'l carriers' pax numbers up 11.63pc

News

International airlines serving in Nepal saw an 11.63 percent rise in passenger movement in the first six months (January-June) of 2012 compared to the same period last year. The rise has been attributed to the increment in the number of Nepalis departing for foreign employment and increased tourist movement.

According to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) statistics, passenger volume in the six months reached 1.43 million against 1.28 million in the same period last year. In aggregate, both domestic and international airlines flew 2.23 million travelers over the period.

The Nepali skies, over the review period, saw 46,739 aircraft movements (international and domestic) which means 260 aircraft took off from and landed at TIA every day. The figure is based on 27 international carriers, including Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) and Buddha Air. Air AsiaX and Malaysia Airlines are the new entrants in Nepali skies.

Among the international carriers, Qatar Airways, Jet Airways, Air India were the top three passenger fliers. Qatar carried 184,085 passengers during the period, up 47.31 percent.

Despite the increment in passengers’ movement, the national flag carrier NAC’s dismal performance continued. NAC slipped to the fourth position as the number of its passengers dropped by 2.89 percent. The carrier flew 99,517 passengers in the first half, against 102,481 in the same period last year.

source: The Kathmandu Post,7 OCt 2012