Nepal to Review Air Service Agreement with UAE, Malaysia
Xinhua | Nov. 24, 2007
Nepal is going to review air service agreement (ASA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Malaysia soon to clear the way for aspirant airlines for increasing flights, The Kathmandu Post reported on Nov. 24.
According to the daily, the review with Malaysia and UAE will be made in bilateral aviation meetings set respectively for Dec. 11-12, and Dec. 16-17 in Kathmandu, said an official at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.
He said the review is imminent with the UAE to let continue all flights currently in operation between the two countries. The ASA permits eight flights from each country a week.
The airlines from the UAE used all flights allocated to their country under the current ASA. In addition, Air Arabia is operating two more flights as per the government's interim policy that allows all international airlines flying to Nepal to add four flights each week until December.
Etihad conducts four-weekly services between Kathmandu and Abu Dhabi, and Air Arabia six flights between Kathmandu-Sharjh.
On the ASA review with Malaysia, the official said to pave the way for private airlines to operate flights, the review is necessary. Nepal Airlines Corporation operated up to six flights a week to Kuala Lumpur from Kathmandu. Presently, due to problem in its aircraft, its flights have become irregular. The ASA grants permission to run seven flights each week from each country.
"We will increase the frequency of flights during the reviews," said the official. "Nepali private airlines which have received air operating certificate for international flights have also been demanding permission to go there. This has also necessitated the review."
So far, the government has inked the ASAs with a total of 35 countries.