Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kirati, has said up to ten new aircrafts will be procured for the national flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) within the current fiscal year.

During his meeting with a group of students at his official residence in Pulchowk today, the Minister said the decision to add more aircrafts for the NAC aimed at ending anomalies in the airfares. “There is not alternative to intervening in the airfares by enhancing the capacity of NAC. He stressed the need to buy more aircrafts for NAC to promote tourist arrival, as well. As he said, the procurement procedures will begin shortly. The NAC prepares for purchasing three twin-otters for domestic flight to increase their numbers to five, it is said.

 According to Minister Kirati, the NAC has launched its flights from Nepaligunj airport to rural areas throughout the Dashain. He pledged to sit for talks with authorities concerned to prevent the potential allocation of air tickets on the black market during festivals.

The students’ delegation led by Nepal Students Union President Dujang Sherpa handed a memorandum to the Minister, demanding the containment of possible distributions of air tickets on the black market during festivals. The NSU urged the NAC to operate flights targeting mountains routes and remote areas for the conveniences of travelers during festival seasons.