Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) has proposed a plan to bring around 4,00,000 tourists into the country with the help of Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC). The corporation has aimed to fly to Europe, America and South Asian country by 2020 AD. The government has declared to celebrate ‘Tourism Year-2020’.
The corporation has bought 2 new Airbus A330 series wide-body aircraft a month ago for expanding flight service to new destinations along with old destination and the corporation is also adding two new narrow-bodies A320 series aircraft to fly in regional areas.
The corporation is also working on hiring the new sales manager and other technicians for operating to new destinations. The bilateral flight agreement with Japan has also been renewed according to which Nepali carrier can now fly 14 flights a week. The old agreement stated only 2 flights a week.
The corporation has also sent a letter to Japan and South Korea requesting for flight approval. In response to the request, civil aviation officials of the respective country will be coming to do a thorough inspection to provide flight approval.
South Korea’s flight safety is regarded as the world’s best and if the corporation receives flight approval from both country, the airlines will have chances to be removed from European Union’s (EU) blacklist. The corporation has also made a diplomatic relationship with South Korea to start the flight in near future.
Similarly, with the help of Nepalese diplomats and Non-residential Nepali, the government is researching a new destination. The government is also dealing with new airlines company opting to fly in the country.
New 9 Chinese and 6 Indian airlines have committed to fly daily in the country and the corporation has also planned to operate to Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Airlines from those countries have also expressed interest to fly to the country.
Tourism Minister Rabindra Adhikari stated that he has directed the corporation to extend its service to neighboring countries with plans to increase tourist’s arrival from China and India. He also stated that the corporation will be playing a great role in the upcoming tourism year-2020 celebration and has also stated that the necessary tools and equipment have been provided to the corporation.
Online booking systems of corporations tickets have also been launched to facilitate tourists seeking to come to Nepal.
The government has been focusing on tourism sector as it is an important basis for the economic prosperity and the creation of employment and corporation will play main part said Minister Adhikari and added that internal management of the corporation has been worked with the business plan.
Minister also stated to remove Nepal civil aviation from EU blacklist in near future while ICAO has already removed Nepal from the blacklist and after that corporation will be able to fly to any part in the world.
There is a significant improvement in ICAO’s interest in Nepal flight safety and supervision and has removed Nepal from the list of security concerns. Nepal has also acquired ‘ICAO Council’s Presidential Certificate’.
Minister has also stated about expansion and improvement in service at Tribhuwan International Airport.
