Cosmic Air, Aero Nepal To Commence India Operations

Cosmic Air is planning to commence its operations from mid-November with 14 flights per week to Delhi

Anindita Chattopadhyay - New Delhi

It may be viewed as a serious effort on the part of Nepal government to strengthen its tourism ties with India because arrival from this major source market has taken a nosedive after the recent political upheavals. The Nepal government has not only given permission to two domestic airlines of Nepal, namely Cosmic Air and Aero Nepal, to fly to India, but is also seriously considering aircraft acquisition for Royal Nepal Airlines.

With the formalities between the two governments completed, Cosmic Air is planning to commence its operations from mid-November. The airline will operate 14 flights per week to Delhi - one in the morning and one in the evening. Meanwhile, the Royal Nepal Airlines (RNA), which has been gasping for oxygen with just two aircraft and was forced to cancel flights to Kolkata, has got the government's nod to buy two aircraft from Boeing. Once the acquisition is through, the airline will increase its frequency to India.

Goverdhan Khadka, regional director, India, Royal Nepal Airlines in an exclusive says, "We are trying to buy a B737 and a B757. In case that doesn't materialise, we will go for dry leasing. After acquisition, we will resume our flights to Kolkata immediately and increase frequency to Delhi from seven to 14 flights per week."

According to him, the irregular service problem will be solved with increase in aircraft. The carrier has seen load factor showing a southward trend after Jet and Air Sahara has started operations. Currently, it is operating with a load factor of around 50 per cent. RNA, pointed out Khadka, is wooing agents to sell Delhi-Kathmandu-Shangai because the fare is 10-20 per cent cheaper than Delhi-Shanghai direct flights operated by other airlines.