The Nepal Oil Corporation Limited (NOC) has announced a rise in aviation fuel prices by NPR 2 per liter, prompting the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to recommend an increase in domestic airfare rates by up to NPR 125 per passenger. The revised rates will be effective from Wednesday, impacting air travel costs across the country.
According to CAAN, the highest fare increase of NPR 125 applies to the 121-minute flight route from Biratnagar to Dhangadhi. The current fuel cost for this route is NPR 8,115 per ticket, which will now increase to NPR 8,240. Despite the recommendation, airlines are yet to implement the revised minimum fare.
For shorter routes, such as Kathmandu to Simara, which takes approximately 16 minutes, the fare will rise by NPR 15. The fuel cost per ticket for this route is NPR 1,135, and the revised fare will now include an additional NPR 1,150.
CAAN has instructed airlines to adjust fares for 55 destinations, including mountain flights, to reflect the increased fuel costs. The authority has also written to airline companies, urging them to enforce the new rates starting Wednesday to accommodate the rising operational expenses.
The fare adjustments highlight the growing impact of fuel price hikes on Nepal’s aviation sector, with CAAN emphasizing the need for updated ticket pricing to maintain sustainability in domestic air travel.