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Minister Pandey Directs Airlines to Provide Ticket Fare Details Within 24 Hours Amid Fare Hike Controversy

Minister Pandey Directs Airlines to Provide Ticket Fare Details Within 24 Hours Amid Fare Hike Controversy

Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Badri Pandey, has instructed all international airlines operating in Nepal to submit their ticket fare details within 24 hours. The directive came during a discussion at the ministry concerning the recent hike in airfares.

Minister Pandey criticized airlines for disregarding their responsibilities towards the state and citizens, expressing disappointment over their actions. “We had provided facilities to airlines with the understanding that they would serve the citizens. However, they have mocked this gesture by displaying irresponsibility and neglecting their duties,” Minister Pandey stated. He further expressed concern over the behavior of airlines and business entities, calling it a betrayal of public trust.

Despite a prior five-point agreement with regulatory bodies to control airfare hikes, airlines have failed to implement it, which prompted Minister Pandey to express his frustration. Highlighting complaints about rising airfares, Minister Pandey revealed that a joint meeting between the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Labor, and Tourism had already discussed controlling fare increases. He urged airlines to be accountable to both the state and its citizens.

Minister Pandey also took a firm stance against the national carriers, Nepal Airlines and Himalaya Airlines, for allegedly charging exorbitant fares. He directed them to disclose the ticket prices of their recent sales within 24 hours and warned of stringent measures if airlines fail to reconsider their fare policies.

Dr. Ganesh Pandey, Secretary of the Ministry, questioned the airlines’ failure to adhere to agreements, emphasizing the need for regulatory measures. “Why haven’t you implemented the agreement? If this continues, we may invite new airlines to compete with existing ones,” he cautioned.

Pradeep Adhikari, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), expressed his determination to curb fare manipulation and black marketing of air tickets. He stated that airlines had failed to honor the five-point agreement on fare control and were artificially inflating ticket prices, leading to widespread criticism.

During the discussion, representatives from international airlines operating in Nepal were reluctant to provide transparent information about the fare hikes. Allegations surfaced that some airlines were charging up to four times the regular price, further intensifying the issue.

The government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring fair airfares and warned airlines of strict action, including introducing new competitors, if they fail to address the concerns promptly.

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