Ministers pledge to bring down exorbitant airfares

By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, Nov. 9: Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has urged the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security (MoLESS) and the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) to find solutions to the complexities arising in the aviation sector following the Tribhuvan International Airport Office's decision to reduce airport operation hours.

The TIA Office has decided to cut flight operations by 10 hours a day, shutting flight operations at the TIA to carry out maintenance work. 

Following this, foreign airlines have reduced flights to Kathmandu. Citing this as the reason, the airlines have also doubled airfares, exacerbating the issue.

In a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday, attended by Labour Minister Sarat Singh Bhandari and Tourism Minister Badri Pandey, FM Dr. Rana called for a study of the latest situation and urged for necessary action to find solutions.

Representatives from the Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies (NAFEA) submitted a memorandum to Minister Dr. Rana, requesting a resolution to the problem. They informed that foreign airlines had raised fares by more than double, impacting workers travelling abroad for employment.

 Dr. Rana said, “The high ticket prices are certainly affecting Nepali workers bound for foreign employment, and the situation has led to numerous complaints. If airlines are exercising monopoly power, they must be regulated.”

President of NAFEA Rajendra Bhandari and representatives appealed to the minister for diplomatic efforts with India so that Nepali workers use Indian airports temporarily to give relief against the high cost and unavailability of tickets.

Minister Dr. Rana assured that diplomatic measures would be taken if necessary. She highlighted that foreign airlines should not unjustifiably increase fares since Nepal had provided prior notice of airport maintenance about six months ago.

Likewise, Minister Bhandari noted the severe impact on workers and acknowledged the national scope of the issue, pledging to explore solutions. 

Minister Pandey stated that the airlines were notified well in advance and therefore should not raise fares arbitrarily. He added that while airport maintenance must continue, alternatives would be sought to address the inconveniences.