Buddha Air, leading domestic airlines has started preparations for international flights from Nepalgunj to New Delhi.
For this purpose, the company has urged the Government of Nepal to expedite the discussion with Indian side for necessary technical processes. In a press conference organized on Nepalgunj yesterday, the carrier announced that it will be operating three flights for Nepalgunj-Delhi route.
Birendra Bahadur Basnet, Managing Director for Buddha Air stated that the airlines has sent request letter for the approval on last Monday. According to him, Buddha Air is preparing to conduct three flights at 7am morning, 1pm afternoon and 7pm evening with 200 passengers daily.
For the Nepalgunj-Delhi flight, the current terminal of the Nepalgunj airports should be made international level, security structure should be enhanced and immigration arrangements should be made. Buddha Air informed that it could take eight months for all the preparations.
Buddha Air has been focusing the Nepalgunj-Delhi flights due to the increasing number of tourists for the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage site. Kaliash Mansarover is considered most auspicious to make a religious pilgrimage around its fifty-three kilometres circuit (32 miles parikrama). Mount Kailash is highly revered for the being the abode of Lord Shiva. Every year, hundreds of devotees embark on the treacherous journey to this peak for seeking the blessings of the Lord and take a dip in the holy Mansarover Lake.
For two decades Buddha Air has been flying to domestic destination overtaking around 63% of market and also chartered flight to Paro in Bhutan and Vanarasi in India. Currently there are 850 workers in the company and has planned to commence international flight from Pokhara International Airport from August of 2021.
Currently, the airlines has five 72 seater ATR 72-500, three 47 seater ATR 42-320, and two 18 seater Beachcraft-1900D series aircraft and has successfully flown 10 million passengers and is providing service to 1 million tourists yearly.
