By Rajan Rawat
Humla, Dec. 9: The state-owned Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has once again added flights to the mountainous districts of Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces.
Chief of NAC’s Humla office Dan Bahadur Sunar informed that the airlines had added three weekly flights to Simkot, taking the total to four. “Upon our request, the head office added flights to accommodate the large number of passengers,” he said.

NAC used to operate three flights a week from Nepalgunj to Simkot till before Tihar. However, it and other private carriers decreased the number of flights to Humla after the festivals, making it difficult for people to travel in and out of this district which lacks road access.

People of Humla prefer flying by Nepal Airlines because its fares are cheaper. It only charges Rs. 7,315 per passenger for charter flights from Nepalgunj to Simkot while private airlines charge up to Rs. 11,000.
Meanwhile, Chief of NAC Nepalgunj office Kiran Shrestha informed that the Corporation offered four weekly flights to Humla and Mugu and two weekly flights to Jumla with subsidised fares to serve the people of the rural areas.

“We have also sought permission to fly to Juphal, Dolpa, and have started flying to Bajura, Dipayal, Bajhang, Sanfe Bagar and Doti,” Shrestha added.