NEPAL PLANS TO RE-START INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS

 Nepal government has finally decided to reopen the country to some international destinations after remaining closed for a while due to the Covid situations. At the same time, domestic flights will be partially resumed as well. A cabinet meeting confirmed that the country is going to permit international flights to South Korea, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Japan.

On the other hand, Kathmandu has now eased its restrictions but has extended its lockdown for yet another week. The country has reported a decline in COVID-19 infections in recent times. Moreover, the country has also restarted its flights to India, China, Qatar, and Turkey, while increasing flight frequencies to Turkey and Qatar.

 "Possibly, international flights to new destinations will be allowed later this week or early next week”. by the country's Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Buddhisagar Lamichhane. The domestic flights had been suspended since early May, but now only half of the total domestic flights will be allowed to operate. Nepal has also permitted flights to China’s Chengdu and Guangzhou twice a week. But the destinations will only be confirmed after consultation with China. Buddhisagar Lamichhane said domestic flights should probably resume earlier next week.