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KATHMANDU
About eight months after the shutdown, regular mountain flights have started from today. The country's mountain flight, which was closed due to the Covid-19 infection, has officially reopened.
Buddha Air and Yeti Airlines, the largest private-sector airlines, have started mountain flights targeting domestic tourists even though they are not foreign tourists due to the epidemic. Buddha Air flew three flights today in one ATR-72 and two ATR-42 aircraft. A total of 150 passengers participated in the mountain flight.
Similarly, Yeti Airlines has flown 92 passengers from one ATR-72 and one Jetstream aircraft to the mountains, the company said. Both companies will now fly to the mountains every Saturday. They plan to add more flights if passenger demand increases.
Yati Airlines spokesperson Sudarshan Bartaula said the initial mountain flights were encouraging and the number of flights could be increased in the meantime as bookings for additional flights were also good. Yeti will fly two mountains every Saturday. Buddha Air has also stated that it will operate three flights. Under normal circumstances, the Buddha used to fly eight to nine times a day and at least four times a day during the tourist season. Buddha has set a fare of Rs 8,900 for mountain flights.
Currently, the weather is considered favorable for mountain flying. Mountain flights are considered to be very attractive for viewing the attractive and picturesque mountain range including the highest peak, Mount Everest. Domestic and foreign travelers are eager to fly in the mountains.
Although there is an attraction of both foreigners and Nepalis in mountain flights, there is no activity of foreign tourists now. Air travel was not open in Nepal due to the ban imposed on the country since April 25 and the recent ban. Domestic flights were operational from 5 September and international regular flights were started from 16 September.
Airlines have been operating mountain flights with discounts and offer to attract domestic tourists. Buddha and Yeti have arranged one more ticket free of cost when passengers on mountain flights buy one ticket. Airlines have started flying to attract domestic tourists as the Corona transition is still going on and a significant number of foreign tourists have not arrived. According to the airlines, the offer has been brought to make it easier and more convenient for family, relatives and friends to visit on Saturday.
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