Air fares for domestic airlines declines; Government allows operating at 100% capacity

Domestic air fares have started declining due to the increase in the number of flights as the ban issued by the government has been relaxed. The initial fare for Dhangadhi-Kathmandu, which was fixed at Rs 9,040 last Sunday, has come down by more than Rs 2,700 for next Sunday. Fares for other domestic flights have also been reduced over a one-week period.

The Civil Aviation Authority has made a schedule of 104 domestic flights daily after the ban was lifted. According to CAAN Spokesperson Raj Kumar Chhetri, Buddha, Shree, Yeti and Saurya have been allowed 60, 16, 20 and 8 daily a flights respectively.

Despite being allowed to operate 100 percent of the flights, the passenger traffic has decreased in proportion to the expectations of the airlines. So they are looking at ticket calculations to increase the number of flights.

In the initial phase of the ban, only 50 percent of the capacity was allowed to operate. The companies have stated that the fare that was increased at that time has been reduced. Company representatives say that with the increase in the number of flights, it has become easier to meet the demand of passengers at this time. Buddha Air’s Information Officer Dipendra Kumar Karna said that the regular airfare has been gradually decreasing with the increase in the number of flights. According to him, passenger occupancy at various destinations is 85 percent at present.

He informed that Buddha Air served 6,078 passengers only on Thursday. Buddha has received permission for 60 daily flights from the Civil Aviation Authority. He said that the company, which has already started Pokhara-Bhairahawa inter-state flight, is preparing to fly to more destinations soon. “Now with the increase in the number of flights, it has become easier to meet the demand of passengers. Fares are also falling steadily, ‘he said.

The airline plans to gradually increase the number of flights as passenger demand grows. Spokesperson Anil Manandhar said that he had received permission from CAAN to operate 16 flights daily and served 1479 passengers on Thursday.

“As the number of flights increases, fares are gradually declining. Compared to a week ago, passengers have been able to take regular flights at cheaper fares. We are planning to increase the number of flights as the demand for passengers is increasing, ”said Manandhar.

He informed that Shree Air, which is providing flight service through five of the six ships, is preparing to operate the flight by releasing the CRJ-700 series aircraft which has been under maintenance since Monday.

Yeti Airlines, which has a schedule of 20 daily flights, is currently providing regular flights to various destinations through four of the five ATRs and two twin-engined aircraft of Tara Air. “We have a ship as a technical reserve. We have not flown more than 20 flights. At this time, the fare has come down from a week ago. We look forward to quality service, ”said Sudarshan Bartaula, Head of flight safety and Spokesperson for the company.

He said that the fare could be further reduced if the competition starts. Yeti had served 2228 passengers on Thursday. “We are not in a hurry to come up with an offer at the same rate as before.” If the number of passengers increases and the number of flights can be increased, it can be considered, ‘he said.

Mukesh Khanal, Market Chief of Saurya Airlines, said that it was natural for air fares to fall as the number of flights increased. “With the increase in the number of flights, the fare has become cheaper and passengers have become more comfortable. At the same time, it has become easier for us to provide services as per the demand, ‘he said.

Saurya, which has a schedule of eight regular flights daily, is currently flying one of the three CRJ-200 series aircraft.

Airlines have reduced the starting fare of Biratnagar-Kathmandu flight from Rs 4,900 last Sunday to Rs 3,195 for next Sunday. The fare for Kathmandu-Biratnagar for Sunday has been fixed at the same rate.