Kathmandu, Nov. 8
Foreign Minister Dr Arzu Rana Deuba has urged the Ministry
of Labour, Employment and Social Security (MoLESS) and the Ministry of Culture,
Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) to find solutions to the complexities arising
in the aviation sector following the Tribhuvan International Airport Office's
decision to reduce airport operation hours.
The TIA Office has decided to cut flight operations by 10
hours a day, shutting flight operations at the TIA to carry out maintenance work.
Following this, foreign airlines have reduced flights to
Kathmandu. Citing this as the reason, the airlines have also doubled airfares,
exacerbating the issue.
In a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday,
attended by Labour Minister Sarat Singh Bhandari and Tourism Minister Badri
Pandey, FM Dr. Rana called for a study of the latest situation and urged for necessary
action to find solutions.
Representatives from the Nepal Association of Foreign
Employment Agencies (NAFEA) submitted a memorandum to Minister Dr. Rana,
requesting a resolution to the problem. They informed that foreign airlines had
raised fares by more than double, impacting workers travelling abroad for
employment.
Dr. Rana said, “The
high ticket prices are certainly affecting Nepali workers bound for foreign
employment, and the situation has led to numerous complaints. If airlines are
exercising monopoly power, they must be regulated.”
President of NAFEA Rajendra Bhandari and representatives
appealed to the minister for diplomatic efforts with India so that Nepali
workers use Indian airports temporarily to give relief against the high cost
and unavailability of tickets.
Minister Dr. Rana assured that diplomatic measures would be
taken if necessary. She highlighted that foreign airlines should not
unjustifiably increase fares since Nepal had provided prior notice of airport
maintenance about six months ago.
Likewise, Minister Bhandari noted the severe impact on
workers and acknowledged the national scope of the issue, pledging to explore
solutions.
Minister Pandey stated that the airlines were notified well
in advance and therefore should not raise fares arbitrarily. He added that
while airport maintenance must continue, alternatives would be sought to
address the inconveniences.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 9 November 2024.
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