Nepal-based Buddha Air keen on India

Mumbai: Buddha Air Private Limited, domestic flight operator in Nepal which is now financially supported by International Finance Corporation (IFC) through a USD ten million long-term loan, is keen on exploring business avenues in the Indian aviation sector. “In the near future, we will like to introduce short-haul flights (three hour radius) to Jaipur and other Indian cities which are close to the border. We will also like to offer chartered flights for high-end passengers from Kolkata, but this is just a concept and subject to approval of the Nepalese government,” said Birendra B Basnet, Managing Director, Buddha Air.
According to Basnet, Nepal is likely to review its Air Service Agreement (ASA) with India with the aim of revising existing restrictions on air-seat allocations. As per the existing ASA, each country is restricted to only 6,000 seats each week. The limit in the number of air-seats has impeded airlines of Nepal to operate flights to Indian cities. “Despite its interest, even Kingfisher Airlines cannot operate flights to Nepal. Currently, India permits airlines from Nepal to operate to 18 Indian cities; however, this capacity is under utilised. If the bilaterals are used to capacity it will improve business,” added Basnet.
08/09/08 Khushboo Sahrawat/TravelBizMonitor

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Categories: Foreign Sep 2008, New Sep 2008