Aviation new focus of cooperation between China and Nepal
By Yuan Jirong
People's Daily app
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(Photo: Yuan Jirong)

It was the first time in 26 years that Nepal Airlines Corporation had bought new planes.

“Chinese aircraft make our remote destinations more accessible, improve Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) business and also promote the country’s tourism,” said Madan Kharel, Executive Chairman of NAC.

As a result, NAC has regained some lost glory and improved its stocks in the domestic market by increasing its share of the market from 3 percent to 40 percent. NAC now has nine aircraft, six of which are from China.

Himalaya Airlines was founded in 2014 as a joint venture between Yeti World investment and Tibet Airlines. It launched operations in May 2016 and has three Airbus A320 and flies to six destinations as of December 2018.

“More than 1.5 lakh passengers traveled by Himalaya Airlines last year. About 1.3 lakh were laborers from abroad, accounting for about 25 percent of laborers in Nepal,” said Zhao Guoqiang, President of Himalaya Airlines. Zhao said that Himalaya Airlines plans to have 15 aircraft in the next 10 years.

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(Photo: Yuan Jirong)

“Himalaya Airlines contributes to the economy of Nepal by bringing new travelers from across our network, which is good for both inbound and outbound travel,” added Sanjeev Gautam, Director General of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.

Aviation cooperation between both countries is improving. At present, there are 49 weekly flights between the two Gautam said.

He said Chinese companies are building the Kathmandu Tripuwan International Airport and the Pokhara Regional International Airport. In addition, China is helping Nepal improve its maintenance and aviation facilities.

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(Photo: Yuan Jirong)