Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey, stated that a national flag carrier is essential to revitalize Nepal’s tourism sector, a major pillar of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Speaking at a two-day review meeting of Nepal Airlines Corporation’s international stations, he emphasized the need to strengthen and empower the national flag carrier through both the procurement of additional aircraft and management reforms.
Minister Pandey also highlighted the importance of Nepal Airlines’ active presence to prevent unnatural airfare cartelization during emergencies and disasters. He stressed that additional aircraft are required for domestic and international operations to fulfill this role, assuring positive support from the ministry toward that end.
Executive Chairman of Nepal Airlines, Yuvraj Adhikari, urged employees stationed at international destinations to work with integrity, as they represent not only the airline but the entire nation. He mentioned that the aircraft lease process is underway to expand the airline’s fleet. He also shared that, in coordination with all seven provincial governments, efforts are being made to purchase aircraft to serve remote areas, and a joint task force has been formed with Gandaki Province to advance the process.
The workshop, organized by the Corporation’s Market Management Department at the airline’s central office, was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, heads of all departments and divisions of the airline, and ten country managers from eight countries.
