Domestic air operators hike fuel surcharge

Airlines Operators’ Association of Nepal has decided to increase the fuel surcharge by Rs 60 to Rs 80 as per the flight distance

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KATHMANDU, DEC 27 -

Domestic airlines operators have increased the additional fuel surcharge, citing the reason of the recent hike in the Airborne Turbine Fuel (ATF) price. The new air fare adjusted with the surcharge will be effective from Sunday.

Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) had increased the ATF price by Rs 5 per litre to Rs 80 on Dec. 6. Airlines Operators’ Association of Nepal (AOAN) has decided to increase the fuel surcharge by Rs 60 to Rs 80 as per the flight distance.

As per the decision of AOAN, the additional fuel surcharge for the short air distance—Bharatpur—has been increased by Rs 60 and for long distance—Dhangadhi—the surcharge has been increased by Rs 180. “We are compelled to hike the surcharge to adjust the air fare after the fuel price hike,” said Rupesh Joshi, marketing manager of Buddha Air and a member of AOAN. “If the fuel price goes down, we will also slash the surcharge.”

The surcharge for Pokhara has increased to Rs 440 from Rs 360. For Biratnagar, the surcharge has been fixed at Rs 610 with the hike by Rs 110. Similarly, Nepalgunj-bound passengers now will have to pay surcharge of Rs 770.

According to Binay Shakya, manager of Yeti Airlines, new surcharge rate for Dhandadhi flights has been set at Rs 1,020 (US$ 17). Earlier, domestic airlines operators used to charge Rs 840 (US$ 18) for this flight.

Likewise, for Janakpur, the charge has been increased by Rs 70. “We have increased US$ 2 for foreigners. Earlier, we used to charge US$ 5,” said Shakya. For the mountain flights, the additional fuel surcharge has been set at Rs 990. Earlier, the passengers used to pay Rs 815 surcharge.

In Feb. 2010 too, AOAN had increased the surcharge by Rs 60 to Rs 180. At that time, the surcharge for the minimum air distance Simara had been increased by Rs 60, while for the longer Nepalgunj flight Rs 180 had been increased.

Destination Surcharge Up by

Pokhara Rs 440 Rs 80

Biratnagar Rs 610 Rs 110

Bhairahawa Rs 540 Rs 95

Bhadrapur Rs 730 Rs 130

Janakpur Rs 390 Rs 70

Bharatpur Rs 340 Rs 60

Simara Rs 290 Rs 135

Dhangadhi Rs 1,020 Rs 180