Nepal Airlines starts direct flights to Guangzhou from Kathmandu

KATHMANDU: Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has started direct flights to Guangzhou, China, operating regular services on the Kathmandu–Guangzhou–Kathmandu route since Saturday.

Although NAC had planned to start flights to Guangzhou on September 25, technical shortcomings delayed the inaugural service until Saturday afternoon. The flight was initially cancelled after passengers from various sectors and inaugural-flight participants arrived at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), prompting NAC to make arrangements for those affected.

According to NAC spokesperson Manoj Kumar Sah, the aircraft that flew from Kathmandu to Guangzhou on Saturday afternoon returned to Kathmandu on Sunday with 107 passengers. Regular flights to Guangzhou will operate according to the predetermined schedule.

NAC has set a schedule of three weekly flights, with the first service today, followed by flights on October 16, 19 and 23. Thereafter, direct flights to Guangzhou will depart every Sunday, Tuesday and Saturday. NAC has stated that the one-way fare from Kathmandu to Guangzhou is Rs 30,000 and the return ticket Rs 50,000.

China Southern Airlines currently operates regular flights on the Kathmandu–Guangzhou route, while Himalaya Airlines also serves the route from Nepal. It is estimated that the Guangzhou service, a destination with a large Nepali community, may benefit NAC financially.

With the addition of the Guangzhou route, NAC now offers regular services to 11 destinations in nine countries. The airline currently operates international flights to Doha, Qatar; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Hong Kong; Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore, India; Bangkok, Thailand; Dammam, Saudi Arabia; and Narita, Japan, using its two narrow-body and two wide-body aircraft.

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