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In the uncertain times of COVID-19, air travel has seen a sudden bump in numbers as more and more Nepalis reap the benefits of the cheap rates in airlines due to lack of foreign tourists. And as the rates in air routes have become cheaper and cheaper, it has come down to the level of bus fares, rivalling them in cost, and exceeding in time and convenience.
Due to COVID-19, the tourism industry has been greatly affected with numbers of travellers going down by 34.4% according to new survey by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). And these tourists have also been significantly restriction due to lockdown and quarantine measures, causing a downfall in passenger load.
With passenger load decreasing and income drying out, many airlines have started targeting the much more frugal domestic customers. Therefore, many airlines announced reduced fares to their air routes with some aeroplane fares rivalling bus fares.
Janakpur-Kathmandu bus fare is about Rs. 1200 while the air fare is about Rs. 1750. Adding in the cost saved in food when traveling by air along with significant faster travel times, many Nepali have seen these rates as worth it.
Therefore, a lot of airlines have seen a rebound in their passenger load as Nepali people take these cheap offers for travelling. Dipendra Karna, the Communications Manager of Buddha Air, has reported that up their average occupancy rate has gone up to 90% due to the reduced fares, giving momentary respite to the aviation industry in Nepal.
Photo Courtesy: [Rui Miguel/Wikipedia Commons]
