-KATHMANDU
Thai Lion Air — a low cost airline of Bangkok has decided to operate direct flights to Nepal as it moves to cater to growing travel demand of tourists.
The carrier will be operating a daily service starting August 1. It received operating authorization from the Civil Aviation Ministry of Nepal.
The carrier will fly to Kathmandu from Don Mueang International Airport — one of the two international airports in Bangkok. According to tourism ministry officials, the budget carrier has received permission to fly to Kathmandu seven times a week. The fare of the carrier is THB 7,950 for round trip.
Highly Placed source stated that Air Transport Division of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) is working for the approval of carrier’s airport slot, or landing rights, at the recommendation of the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) slot management committee. The carrier will be operating its Boeing 737-800 aircraft to serve this route.
Thai Lion Air is an associate of Indonesia-based Lion Air. It operates a fleet of 32 aircraft — three Airbus A330-300, 11 Boeing 737-800, 17 Boeing 737-900 ER and one Boeing 737 Max 9. It has placed order for six Boeing 737-800 and eight Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft.
Thai Lion Air will be the third airlines to link Bangkok with Kathmandu after Nepal Airlines Corporation and Thai Airways.
