International air passenger up 7.59 percent

The number of international air passengers to and from Nepal increased by 7.59 percent over the first ten months of 2012, recording more than two-fold growth over the global forecast (of air passengers) that International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) had previously made.

ICAO had projected volume of air passengers to grow by just 3.4 percent during the period.

The rise in international air passengers was facilitated by entry of new international airlines and increase in their flight frequency. The aircraft movement from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in the international sector increased by 2.89 percent during the period, compared to a year ago, shows the statistics that Civil Aviation Authority Nepal (CAAN) made public on Monday.

"TIA handled a total of 2.36 million passengers in the international sector," Tri Ratna Mananadhar, director general of CAAN that celebrated its 14th anniversary on Monday, said.

During the period, flights of passenger aircraft to and from TIA increased by 2.89 percent, while air cargo movement increased by 6.11 percent.

However, the growth rate of passengers in the domestic sector was not so remarkable. Statistics shows number of passengers in the domestic sector increased by a meager 1 percent to 1.32 million.

In 2011, air passenger movement in international sector had increased by 17.4 percent whereas air domestic air passenger growth rate had declined by 0.80 percent.
Nepal has signed Air Service Agreement (ASA) with 36 counties which generates more than 5.76 million seats from different airlines annually to and from Nepal.

However, international airlines operating to Nepal are using only 44.7 percent of the total permitted capacity out of which the national flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation is enjoying only 6.3 percent of the total permitted seats.

“With the objective to increase capacity of radar coverage, we are installing new radar station in Bhattedanda, Lalitpur," said Manandhar. “Works to install new surveillance data processing system, controller working position and radar training simulator are going on,” he added.

On the occasion, CAAN also awarded Qatar Airways and Buddha Air with No. 1 airlines in terms of carrying highest number of passengers in international and domestic sectors, respectively.

Speaking on the occasion Minister of Culture Tourism and Civil Aviation Post Bahadur Bogati said the ministry was holding talks with Investment Board so that works on second international airport (SIA) in Nijgadh can go ahead. "The alternative to TIA is a primary requirement for the development of aviation sector and the government is positive on bringing the second international airport into operation soon,” he added.

Currently, 29 airlines from 16 countries are operating in Nepal. These airlines connect Kathmandu with 24 international destinations. Likewise, 16 airlines, including six chopper operators, are serving different domestic destinations.

source: republica,31 Dec 2012