-KATHMANDU
AirAsia X, Malaysian low-cost airline company has suspended all its scheduled flights between Malaysia and Nepal’s, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) from October 13, 2018 (today).
According to the notice issued earlier by the airline to halt its all scheduled flights between Malaysia and Nepal for almost 1 year because of a shortage of air passengers which has been conducting its flights since last six years.
AirAsia X has been conducting regular flights with its 274 seat capacity Airbus 330 aircraft. The airline has revealed that despite lack of passengers, the carrier has been conducting 4 flights weekly flights in the present. However, a few months ago the airline had sent written notice to TIA informing the suspension of flights. The carrier has informed in the letter that the carrier can resume its operation in the upcoming years if the number of passengers increases.
One of the officials of the AirAsia office said that there will be full occupancy while coming from Malaysia to Nepal but while returning only 40 passengers would be on board.
Previously, AirAsia X and TIA had a controversial case in the subject of pending air services charges to be paid my AirAsia X. TIA officials claimed that AirAsia X is still left to pay pending TIA charge of nearly Rs 20 crore. Though TIA warned AirAsia to cease its operation several times, the carrier fell behind to pay the pending charges repeatedly.
Air Asia has to pay the dues of more than two years, including airport development fees, landing and taking off fee, air transport (communication transport equipment usage) fees, security fees, room counter fees to the airport with the service fee raised by passengers. The TIA authority stated not to allow the Malaysian airline company to resume its flights to Nepal unless it clears all its pending dues.
