Five countries keen to increase flights to Ktm

As Nepal witnesses substantial rise in number of air passengers, five countries have expressed interest to increase flight frequency to Kathmandu. United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bhutan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Jordan have approached the government to increase flight frequency and seat frequency.

Along with number of flights, these countries have approached Nepal to review other particulars like route schedule while reviewing the Air Service Agreement (ASA), according to Suresh Acharya, joint-secretary at Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA).

Currently, four airlines from UAE -- Air Arabia, RAK Airways, Fly Dubai and Etihad, are operating 38 flights a week to Kathmandu. The existing ASA allows UAE-based carriers to operate 28 flights a week on the route.

The government has allowed them to operate 10 additional flights a week on temporary operation permit (TOP) basis. Air Arabia and Fly Dubai have permission to operate 14 flights a week each, while Etihad can operate up to seven flights. RAK Airways, which has permission to operate three flights a week, is currently operating two flights on weekly basis.

UAE has requested the government to increase number of flights to Kathmandu to 60 flights a week.

Similarly, Pakistan, which has single-designated ASA with Nepal, has approached the government to add more seats to and from Kathmandu. Bhutan and Jordan are also planning to add flight frequencies to and from Kathmandu. Earlier this year, USA and Australia had sent a proposal to the government, expressing interest to establish air connectivity with Kathmandu. However, there has been no further development on the proposals.

Nepal has signed ASA with 36 countries so far.

Although requests for increasing flight frequency to Kathmandu is encouraging, officials said recent instructions of International Relations and Human Rights Committee of parliament, which has asked the government to not be generous on fifth freedom rights, could pose difficulties for them while reviewing ASA.

The committee had issued such an instruction mainly after the MoTCA decided to grant fifth freedom rights to Air Arabia on Kathmandu-Kuala Lumpur sector. A writ petition too was filed against the decision at the Supreme Court. The case is currently sub judice in the apex court.

Though the apex court has yet to issue verdict on the case, instruction of the parliamentary committee had compelled the ministry to revoke its decision of awarding fifth freedom rights to Air Arabia in December, 2010.

“As the committee´s decision goes against existing ASA with UAE, it is likely to create problem while reviewing it,” the official said, adding: “Other countries are also seeking fifth freedom rights.”

source:republica, 3 April 2012