Kathmandu, Sept. 10
Himalaya Airlines has announced the inauguration of its
Kathmandu-Qingdao-Kathmandu flight service, which commenced on September 10,
2023.
The new Kathmandu-Qingdao-Kathmandu route will offer passengers seamless
travel options between the capital city of Nepal and the coastal city of China,
known for its beautiful landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and economic
significance, said the company in a statement on Sunday.
The airline is set to operate its weekly service for this route
scheduled for every Sunday, September 10, 2023 onwards.
The first outbound flight, H9 7220, departed from Tribhuvan
International Airport at 9:15 AM (local time) and reached Qingdao Jiaodong
International Airport at 17:22 PM (local time) in Qingdao, with a flight
duration of 5.50 hours.
A total of 113 passengers boarded the first flight.
Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kirati, boarded
the inaugural flight as the chief guest along with the Chinese Ambassador to
Nepal, Chen Song and other dignitaries.
Zhou Enyong, President of the company, termed the flight service 'a
bridge between Nepal and China'.
"Qingdao is an essential commercial and financial centre of China.
It is a city which also connects Asia with Europe. We are immensely proud to
play an essential role in enhancing bilateral connectivity, cultural exchanges,
tourism, and trade between the two countries," he said.
Ambassador Song said that the flight service represented a new chapter
in the bilateral relations between Nepal and China, facilitating not only
tourism and trade but also cultural exchanges and people-to-people connections.
Minister Kirati remarked that this development not only enhances
connectivity but also exemplifies the commitment to strengthening the bonds
between Nepal and China. "The tourism and trade potential between the two
nations is immense, and this flight service will undoubtedly play a pivotal role
in realising that potential. I believe
that through this new route, Himalaya Airlines will bring in more and more
Chinese tourists to Nepal," he said.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 11 September 2023.
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