Flights resume in Karnali, Sudurpaschim

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT Humla, May 9: Air transport facilities in the mountainous districts of Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces have resumed after a disturbance for one and half a months.

Aviation service has now become easy in four mountainous districts of Karnali and Bajura district of Sudurpaschim after the private airlines’ airplanes, which were centred in Kathmandu agreed to resume their services from Nepalgunj.

Ujir Rawat, a passenger who was travelling to Simkot from Nepalgunj, said air transportation became easy these days. Earlier, passengers were compelled to wait for even a week in Nepalgunj in lack of air ticket. But now there is a pressure of passengers also because of election, Rawat said.

On Sunday, there were nine flights to Humla which is not connected with road transportation, Manoj Dangal, senior officer of Civil Aviation Authority, Simkot, said. Earlier, only three flights were available a week but now the number of daily flights has increased, Dangal said. 

On Sunday, Sita and Summit Air had three flights each, Tara Air had two flights and Nepal Airlines one flight to Simkot.

Basanta Malla, employee of Samir Air, said private and Nepal Airlines started flight services to Humla, Jumla, Talcha, Dolpa and Kolti of Bajura. There can be even 24 flights a day to these districts in a day if these airlines operate six flights a day.

After the availability of air transportation, entrepreneurs of Humla and Dolpa who are facing much trouble have felt relieved.

Those airlines keep first priority to the passengers concerning the upcoming election. 

But, they have also started to transport even cargo. Along with the starting of regular flights, potters working in the districts have got job opportunities.