SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, JAN 03 -
The country enters Nepal Tourism Year on Saturday and the buzz is that tourism stakeholders will get a much needed boost. The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) on Sunday announced that arrivals by air in 2010 had reached an all-time high of 448,769 tourists.
This is first time in 12 years that tourist arrivals have crossed the 400,000 mark. The last time that Nepal had received so many tourists was in 1999 when 421,243 tourists came to the country.
After a high of 1999, tourist arrivals in Nepal started to slump, first by the 9/11 attack and then by the escalation of the Maoist conflict in the country. Tourist arrivals continued to slide for three straight years -- from 2000 to 2002. Though there was a slight improvement in 2003 and 2004, arrivals again declined in 2005 then King Gyanendra took over direct rule. It was the peace agreement between the government and the Maoists that arrested this slump in 2006. Post-2006, the tourism sector has bounced back with a gradual upward movement of tourist arrivals.
The NTB data shows that arrivals have increased by 18.5 percent last year. Of the total arrivals, India tops the chart with 104,470 tourists followed by the US, the UK, China and France. There has been positive growth in the Asian segment, the European segment and the Americas, according to the NTB.
Though Indians are traditionally make up the largest number of visitors to the country, what is most promising for the domestic tourism market is a sharp increment in the arrival of Chinese tourists. Chinese tourist arrivals have jumped by an encouraging 36.8 percent in 2010, indicating that it is becoming one of the top markets for Nepal’s tourism. According to NTB data, a total of 25,559 tourists from China visited Nepal last year, up from 18,677 of 2009.
Hence, architects of NTY 2011 have understandably given greater priority to India and China and projected them as major source markets. The NTY Implementation Committee has targeted 265,000 tourists from India and 100,000 tourists from China in 2011. One challange to bring more tourists is expensive air fare. “Airfares from China to Nepal are among the world’s expensive fares and driving distance is also long,” said Rajendra Bajgai, general secretary of the Trekking Agents Association of Nepal.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Tourism Board gets Rs 120m for NTY-2011 promotion campaigns
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, DEC 30 -
With two weeks remaining for the much-touted Nepal Tourism Year 2011 to begin, the Ministry of Finance has formally released a budget of Rs 120 million to publicize the campaign at the international level.
Nepal Tourism Board officials said that although international promotion through the media and marketing had been delayed, the campaign would not be affected much as it would focus on tourist generating seasons.
Of the total budget released for international promotion, Rs 60 million will be spent in India, Rs 30 million in China and rest in other source markets.
The marketing campaigns of the NTB and the NTY 2011 implementation committee are expected to be highly visible in the two neighbouring markets through traditional promotional channels including electronic and print media, brochures and posters. The NTB has stepped up its publicity campaign with celebrity marketing and by inviting popular figures to the launch of NTY 2011 on Jan. 14.
NTB chief executive officer Prachanda Man Shrestha said that the NTB would now ask India and China to submit the terms of reference of their promotional packages. He added that promotional activities would start around March-April, which is the peak tourist season in Nepal. “The budget provided by the government
for international promotion is quite
small, however, we will utilize it in a broad-based way.”
The NTB has announced its promotional strategy for 2011 with the theme “Together for Tourism”. Nepal has targeted one million arrivals for 2011, which is double the figure of 2009.
Travel trade entrepreneurs said that expansion of tourism throughout the world has increased competition among tourist destinations. Every country is trying to attract more tourists by adopting new marketing techniques and strategies, and if Nepal fails to keep in step with world trends it will slide in the world tourism market.
“As media promotion plays a vital role in marketing any product or service, tourism marketing in Nepal is a long way from the goal. This is mainly due to inadequate and ineffective promotional measures of the tourism sector of Nepal,” said Ram Kazi Koney, managing director of Gandaki Tours & Travels.
Moreover, Nepal faces resource constraints and cannot afford a sufficient budget for promotional purposes. As a result, the country cannot conduct promotional activities by using the international media which is essential for attracting foreign tourists, Koney added.
Tourism entrepreneurs have criticized the NTB for not doing its duty to a better extent to ensure that Nepal emerges as one of the major competitive destinations in the world tourism market.
There are many positive indicators for 2011. Recent arrival figures show that there is still a very positive attitude towards Nepal. Other positive indicators include India and China showing solid signs of outbound growth. This is good for Nepal as it is a short-haul market with large populations of potential visitors.
KATHMANDU, DEC 30 -
With two weeks remaining for the much-touted Nepal Tourism Year 2011 to begin, the Ministry of Finance has formally released a budget of Rs 120 million to publicize the campaign at the international level.
Nepal Tourism Board officials said that although international promotion through the media and marketing had been delayed, the campaign would not be affected much as it would focus on tourist generating seasons.
Of the total budget released for international promotion, Rs 60 million will be spent in India, Rs 30 million in China and rest in other source markets.
The marketing campaigns of the NTB and the NTY 2011 implementation committee are expected to be highly visible in the two neighbouring markets through traditional promotional channels including electronic and print media, brochures and posters. The NTB has stepped up its publicity campaign with celebrity marketing and by inviting popular figures to the launch of NTY 2011 on Jan. 14.
NTB chief executive officer Prachanda Man Shrestha said that the NTB would now ask India and China to submit the terms of reference of their promotional packages. He added that promotional activities would start around March-April, which is the peak tourist season in Nepal. “The budget provided by the government
for international promotion is quite
small, however, we will utilize it in a broad-based way.”
The NTB has announced its promotional strategy for 2011 with the theme “Together for Tourism”. Nepal has targeted one million arrivals for 2011, which is double the figure of 2009.
Travel trade entrepreneurs said that expansion of tourism throughout the world has increased competition among tourist destinations. Every country is trying to attract more tourists by adopting new marketing techniques and strategies, and if Nepal fails to keep in step with world trends it will slide in the world tourism market.
“As media promotion plays a vital role in marketing any product or service, tourism marketing in Nepal is a long way from the goal. This is mainly due to inadequate and ineffective promotional measures of the tourism sector of Nepal,” said Ram Kazi Koney, managing director of Gandaki Tours & Travels.
Moreover, Nepal faces resource constraints and cannot afford a sufficient budget for promotional purposes. As a result, the country cannot conduct promotional activities by using the international media which is essential for attracting foreign tourists, Koney added.
Tourism entrepreneurs have criticized the NTB for not doing its duty to a better extent to ensure that Nepal emerges as one of the major competitive destinations in the world tourism market.
There are many positive indicators for 2011. Recent arrival figures show that there is still a very positive attitude towards Nepal. Other positive indicators include India and China showing solid signs of outbound growth. This is good for Nepal as it is a short-haul market with large populations of potential visitors.
Nepal tourism year 2011 expect 200,000 ‘other’ tourists
KATHMANDU, JAN 02 -
Nepal plans to attract around 200,000 sexual minorities including Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersexes (LGBTI) during the Nepal Tourism Year 2011 (NTY-2011).
The Blue Diamond Society (BDS), an organization representing sexual minorities in the country, has said that it aims to bring 200,000 i.e. 20 percent such tourists of the total one million tourists in the NTY-2011. Nepal aims to host one million tourists this year.
Already gay tourists are responding favorably to the holiday and travel packages offered by Pink Mountain, a travel and tour agency run by sexual minorities and catering exclusively to LGBTI.
Pink Mountain offers wedding, honeymoon and anniversary packages to domestic as well as international LGBTI tourists, according to lawmaker and Chairman of Pink Mountain Sunil Babu Panta. “The agency has also confirmed two more same-sex marriages, trekking and many more adventures in the first month of its launch,” said Panta.
Most of the LGBTIs coming to Nepal so far have been sexual minorities from two Asian giants, India and China. Nepal’s liberal policies towards sexual minorities following a Supreme Court ruling have attracted LGBTIs from many countries.
In 2007, the Supreme Court (SC) of Nepal had directed the government to grant citizenship to LGBTIs and form a same-sex marriage committee to assure equality of the sexual minorities.
The agency offers grand weddings in national parks and the Everest base-camp, nature trip, adventure and safari, pilgrimage and meditation facilities to LGBTIs visiting the country. Globally, gay tourism is estimated to be over US$ 100 billion a year, and Nepal’s gay entrepreneurs are keen to cash in on it.
“The US alone makes US$ 68 billion every year through gay tourism,” said Panta. “We are one of the fastest growing South Asian countries to accept the natural characteristics of being LGBTI. We can reap this benefit to boost the economy of the country.” A research conducted by the Community Marketing International (CMI) in the United States found that 98 percent of LGBTIs have at least one overnight trip in a year.
Gay tourism entrepreneurs are coordinating with the government as well as other commercial organizations this year to attract a large number of sexual minorities. The BDS organized the same-sex marriage of an Indo-British couple last August in Nepal.
“So far, the government has extended only moral support to the gay tourism sector,” said Panta. However, he said he was pleased that the big hotels and resorts have come forward with LGBTI community-focused events and packages.
“Tiger and Gokarna resorts, Annapurna, Everest, Himalayan and Dwarika hotels are coordinating with us for the event,” Panta said.
Nepal plans to attract around 200,000 sexual minorities including Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersexes (LGBTI) during the Nepal Tourism Year 2011 (NTY-2011).
The Blue Diamond Society (BDS), an organization representing sexual minorities in the country, has said that it aims to bring 200,000 i.e. 20 percent such tourists of the total one million tourists in the NTY-2011. Nepal aims to host one million tourists this year.
Already gay tourists are responding favorably to the holiday and travel packages offered by Pink Mountain, a travel and tour agency run by sexual minorities and catering exclusively to LGBTI.
Pink Mountain offers wedding, honeymoon and anniversary packages to domestic as well as international LGBTI tourists, according to lawmaker and Chairman of Pink Mountain Sunil Babu Panta. “The agency has also confirmed two more same-sex marriages, trekking and many more adventures in the first month of its launch,” said Panta.
Most of the LGBTIs coming to Nepal so far have been sexual minorities from two Asian giants, India and China. Nepal’s liberal policies towards sexual minorities following a Supreme Court ruling have attracted LGBTIs from many countries.
In 2007, the Supreme Court (SC) of Nepal had directed the government to grant citizenship to LGBTIs and form a same-sex marriage committee to assure equality of the sexual minorities.
The agency offers grand weddings in national parks and the Everest base-camp, nature trip, adventure and safari, pilgrimage and meditation facilities to LGBTIs visiting the country. Globally, gay tourism is estimated to be over US$ 100 billion a year, and Nepal’s gay entrepreneurs are keen to cash in on it.
“The US alone makes US$ 68 billion every year through gay tourism,” said Panta. “We are one of the fastest growing South Asian countries to accept the natural characteristics of being LGBTI. We can reap this benefit to boost the economy of the country.” A research conducted by the Community Marketing International (CMI) in the United States found that 98 percent of LGBTIs have at least one overnight trip in a year.
Gay tourism entrepreneurs are coordinating with the government as well as other commercial organizations this year to attract a large number of sexual minorities. The BDS organized the same-sex marriage of an Indo-British couple last August in Nepal.
“So far, the government has extended only moral support to the gay tourism sector,” said Panta. However, he said he was pleased that the big hotels and resorts have come forward with LGBTI community-focused events and packages.
“Tiger and Gokarna resorts, Annapurna, Everest, Himalayan and Dwarika hotels are coordinating with us for the event,” Panta said.
Monday, December 27, 2010
WTO secretary general to attend NTY launch
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, DEC 27 -
The secretary general of the UN World Tourism Organization, seven SAARC tourism ministers and the secretary of the Cambodian Tourism Ministry have confirmed that they will be attending the inauguration of Nepal Tourism Year. NTY 2011 is scheduled to be launched on Jan. 14 at Dasrath Stadium in Kathmandu at 11 a.m.
Tourism ministers from China and Japan have expressed interest to participate in the function, but they have not confirmed, said Nepal Tourism Board spokesperson Aditya Baral. The government has invited the tourism ministers of 24 Asian countries to the inaugural to strengthen bilateral ties and promote tourism in the region.
SAARC tourism secretaries are scheduled to arrive on Jan. 11. There will be an extensive joint secretary level meeting of the SAARC Tourism Working Committee from Jan. 12-13 where discussions will focus on the problems and barriers confronting tourism promotion.
On Jan. 13, the SAARC ministers will endorse the meeting’s declaration. On Jan. 14, NTY 2011 will be inaugurated amid a gala function.
“We are inviting President Ram Baran Yadav to inaugurate the ceremony at Dasrath Stadium,” Baral said. According to the NTB, over 28,000 people are expected to participate in the three-hour-long event. The SAARC inter-government body will discuss the possibility of joint marketing, softening the visa regime, giving access to cross-border driving licenses, making Indian currency more flexible and increasing inter-SAARC movement by air by the national flag carrier of each country, a government official said.
The NTB has proposed giving a public holiday to government staff on the day. The NTB said that all the districts would organize the NTY 2011 launching programme under the coordination of their respective chief district officers. Similarly, tourist destinations like Pokhara and Chitwan, among other places, are aggressively preparing for their own special functions.
According to the Tourism Ministry, Nepal received more than 500,000 tourists in 2009.
KATHMANDU, DEC 27 -
The secretary general of the UN World Tourism Organization, seven SAARC tourism ministers and the secretary of the Cambodian Tourism Ministry have confirmed that they will be attending the inauguration of Nepal Tourism Year. NTY 2011 is scheduled to be launched on Jan. 14 at Dasrath Stadium in Kathmandu at 11 a.m.
Tourism ministers from China and Japan have expressed interest to participate in the function, but they have not confirmed, said Nepal Tourism Board spokesperson Aditya Baral. The government has invited the tourism ministers of 24 Asian countries to the inaugural to strengthen bilateral ties and promote tourism in the region.
SAARC tourism secretaries are scheduled to arrive on Jan. 11. There will be an extensive joint secretary level meeting of the SAARC Tourism Working Committee from Jan. 12-13 where discussions will focus on the problems and barriers confronting tourism promotion.
On Jan. 13, the SAARC ministers will endorse the meeting’s declaration. On Jan. 14, NTY 2011 will be inaugurated amid a gala function.
“We are inviting President Ram Baran Yadav to inaugurate the ceremony at Dasrath Stadium,” Baral said. According to the NTB, over 28,000 people are expected to participate in the three-hour-long event. The SAARC inter-government body will discuss the possibility of joint marketing, softening the visa regime, giving access to cross-border driving licenses, making Indian currency more flexible and increasing inter-SAARC movement by air by the national flag carrier of each country, a government official said.
The NTB has proposed giving a public holiday to government staff on the day. The NTB said that all the districts would organize the NTY 2011 launching programme under the coordination of their respective chief district officers. Similarly, tourist destinations like Pokhara and Chitwan, among other places, are aggressively preparing for their own special functions.
According to the Tourism Ministry, Nepal received more than 500,000 tourists in 2009.
NAC trade unions at loggerheads
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, DEC 27 -
Unions at the Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) that had united against the Fifth Freedom Right awarded to Air Arabia are now divided on whether NAC Managing Director Kul Bahadur Limbu be allowed to enter the office.
After the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed a corruption case against NAC Executive Chairman Sugat Ratna Kansakar and suspended him, the executive authority of the corporation has fallen into Limbu’s hands.
The unions’ meeting held on Monday discussed the matter extensively. However, no agreement was reached.
“If we were to stop Limbu from entering the office, there will be more delay in bringing back the aircraft that was sent for maintenance,” said Rajendra Regmi, president of Nepal National Employees’ Union, after the meeting.
Regmi added that disrupting the administrative and management work would further increase the cost of the aircraft maintenance. “So, we decided to let Limbu to resume work on Monday.”
On the other hand, Tarani Raj Dahal, president of NAC Employee’ Association, said the meeting did not withdraw the agitation and Limbu would not be allowed to resume duty.
Dahal said that until the post of Chairman that has remained vacant after the suspension of Kansakar is filled, there are fears that the board may take a unilateral decision. “We can make the payment for aircraft maintenance until Jan. 10,” added Dahal. According to Dahal, the unions’ are scheduled to meet Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Sharat Singh Bhandari and Secretary Kishore
Thapa on Tuesday to press them to fill the Chairman’s post at the earliest.
The NAC trade unions had called an indefinite strike in NAC’s domestic operation two weeks ago, demanding that the government revoke its decision to allow Air Arabia to operate Kathmandu-Kuala Lumpur flights.
The unified trade union committee had also barred NAC’s top-level officials from carrying out their duties and demanded they lobby with the government to immediately begin the purchase process of new aircraft and end the ongoing dispute regarding the executive power of NAC.
KATHMANDU, DEC 27 -
Unions at the Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) that had united against the Fifth Freedom Right awarded to Air Arabia are now divided on whether NAC Managing Director Kul Bahadur Limbu be allowed to enter the office.
After the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed a corruption case against NAC Executive Chairman Sugat Ratna Kansakar and suspended him, the executive authority of the corporation has fallen into Limbu’s hands.
The unions’ meeting held on Monday discussed the matter extensively. However, no agreement was reached.
“If we were to stop Limbu from entering the office, there will be more delay in bringing back the aircraft that was sent for maintenance,” said Rajendra Regmi, president of Nepal National Employees’ Union, after the meeting.
Regmi added that disrupting the administrative and management work would further increase the cost of the aircraft maintenance. “So, we decided to let Limbu to resume work on Monday.”
On the other hand, Tarani Raj Dahal, president of NAC Employee’ Association, said the meeting did not withdraw the agitation and Limbu would not be allowed to resume duty.
Dahal said that until the post of Chairman that has remained vacant after the suspension of Kansakar is filled, there are fears that the board may take a unilateral decision. “We can make the payment for aircraft maintenance until Jan. 10,” added Dahal. According to Dahal, the unions’ are scheduled to meet Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Sharat Singh Bhandari and Secretary Kishore
Thapa on Tuesday to press them to fill the Chairman’s post at the earliest.
The NAC trade unions had called an indefinite strike in NAC’s domestic operation two weeks ago, demanding that the government revoke its decision to allow Air Arabia to operate Kathmandu-Kuala Lumpur flights.
The unified trade union committee had also barred NAC’s top-level officials from carrying out their duties and demanded they lobby with the government to immediately begin the purchase process of new aircraft and end the ongoing dispute regarding the executive power of NAC.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
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
POST REPORT
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
POST REPORT
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
Domestic aviation high, passenger movement up 13pc
Price war among airlines has benefited customers, encouraging more middle-income people to travel by air
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, DEC 25 -
Domestic airlines experienced a steep increase in passenger movement in the first nine months of 2010.
According to the statistics released by Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), the number of air travellers rose 13 percent to 1,073,391 in the review period from 949,135 in the same period last year. There were 1,377,868 fliers in the whole of 2009.
There are eight domestic airlines and five helicopter services currently operating from Kathmandu.
While passenger movement grew 13 percent, domestic aircraft movement increased a nominal 2.09 percent in the period under review. Aircraft movement had seen a 19.72 percent surge in the first nine months of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.
“A price war among airlines has benefited customers, encouraging more middle-income people to travel by air,” said Prajwol Thapa, marketing manager of Guna Airlines.
Moreover, higher tourist arrivals and greater activity by NGOs and INGOs around the country has resulted in an increase in the number of passengers for Nepal’s domestic airlines, Thapa added.
Almost all the domestic carriers saw their business taking off during the period. Buddha Air carried 421,310 passengers in the first nine months of 2010, up 5 percent from 402,931 last year.
Yeti Air carried 333,528 passengers, down 7.12 percent from 359,115 last year as its subsidiary Tara Air took over its short-haul routes. Tara Air, which started operations in June 2009, flew 64,630 passengers during the review period.
Agni Air’s passenger movement rose 25.58 percent to 138,150 from 110,005 last year. Guna Airlines, which started service in May 2009, was fourth with 68,803 passengers compared to 13,615 previously.
Nepal Airlines and Sita Air carried fewer passengers compared to last year. The number of travellers flying Nepal Airlines dropped 13.81 percent to 32,604. Sita Air carried 8,405 passengers against 16,298 previously.
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, DEC 25 -
Domestic airlines experienced a steep increase in passenger movement in the first nine months of 2010.
According to the statistics released by Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), the number of air travellers rose 13 percent to 1,073,391 in the review period from 949,135 in the same period last year. There were 1,377,868 fliers in the whole of 2009.
There are eight domestic airlines and five helicopter services currently operating from Kathmandu.
While passenger movement grew 13 percent, domestic aircraft movement increased a nominal 2.09 percent in the period under review. Aircraft movement had seen a 19.72 percent surge in the first nine months of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.
“A price war among airlines has benefited customers, encouraging more middle-income people to travel by air,” said Prajwol Thapa, marketing manager of Guna Airlines.
Moreover, higher tourist arrivals and greater activity by NGOs and INGOs around the country has resulted in an increase in the number of passengers for Nepal’s domestic airlines, Thapa added.
Almost all the domestic carriers saw their business taking off during the period. Buddha Air carried 421,310 passengers in the first nine months of 2010, up 5 percent from 402,931 last year.
Yeti Air carried 333,528 passengers, down 7.12 percent from 359,115 last year as its subsidiary Tara Air took over its short-haul routes. Tara Air, which started operations in June 2009, flew 64,630 passengers during the review period.
Agni Air’s passenger movement rose 25.58 percent to 138,150 from 110,005 last year. Guna Airlines, which started service in May 2009, was fourth with 68,803 passengers compared to 13,615 previously.
Nepal Airlines and Sita Air carried fewer passengers compared to last year. The number of travellers flying Nepal Airlines dropped 13.81 percent to 32,604. Sita Air carried 8,405 passengers against 16,298 previously.
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