KATHMANDU, Aug 26 (NNN-NEPALNEWS) – Nepal’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, made public a one-month schedule for regular and chartered international flights, starting from Sept 2, nearly six months after international flights were suspended to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
However, according to the ministry, only Nepalis getting special permission from the Nepali government to come to Nepal, foreign diplomats and employees at foreign diplomatic missions in Nepal, representatives and employees of United Nations offices and development partners of Nepal, can enter Nepal from some selected countries and regions on these flights.
As per the flight schedule, released by the ministry yesterday, one Nepali airline and one foreign airline have been allowed to conduct one international flight, respectively, on the first day of flight resumption.
Nepal Airlines has been allowed to fly on Kathmandu-Narita (Japan) route, while Malaysia’s Malindo Air has been allowed to fly on the Kathmandu-Kuala Lumpur route on Sept 2.
The flight schedule has been arranged for the entire Sept month.
During the period, foreign airlines have been allowed to conduct 29 regular flights between Kathmandu and cities of various countries and regions.
Likewise, Nepal Airlines and Himalayan Airlines, Nepal’s two international airlines, have been allowed to conduct 17 and 12 international flights, respectively.
Similarly, various Nepali and foreign airlines have been allowed to conduct 27 chartered flights on different routes in Sept, as per the notice.
The Nepali government suspended regular international flights since Mar 22, and allowed chartered flights only for humanitarian purpose and the delivery of medical goods.
Nepal’s cabinet on Aug 20 decided to resume scheduled international flights from Sept.
Only those who test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours before boarding would be allowed, as per the protocol prepared by the ministry.
A senior official at Nepal’s Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) said, the airport was prepared to deal with the arrivals of Nepalis and foreigners through both regular and chartered flights, by adopting necessary safety measures.
TIA General Manager, Debendra K.C. said last night that, health workers, security personnel and aviation staff to be assigned in the front desk, would be using personal protective equipment (PPE) and other protective gear, while dealing with passengers.
“Adequate safety measures have been taken,” said K.C. “That’s why none of the TIA staff contracted COVID-19, even though they cleared more than 72,000 passengers travelling on chartered flights, since Nepal imposed nationwide lock-down from Mar 24.”– NNN-NEPALNEWS
