Aussie airlines uninterested in new air services agreement with Nepal

View of Everest from Gokyo ri . Nepal

Australia has entered into an air services agreement with Nepal, but apparently forgot to check if any of our airlines were interested.

Under the new agreement, Australian airlines can now operate up to seven services a week to Kathmandu, and another 28 a week to other airports in the country, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said, according to the Australian.

“Nepal is one of Australia’s largest passenger markets within non-stop range that doesn’t have a direct flight,” McCormac said.

However, a spokesperson for Qantas told Travel Weekly that neither Qantas or Jetstar currently has plans to operate direct flights to Nepal, but the airlines will assess the opportunity to codeshare on partner airlines based on demand.

A spokesperson for Virgin Australia also confirmed the airline has no current plans to apply for the slots.

According to the Australian, 31,000 Australians visited Nepal in the year to July, compared with 1.44 million Aussies visiting New Zealand, 1.3 million travelling to Indonesia, just over a million going to the US and 416,000 travelling to India, which also doesn’t have any direct flights from Australian carriers.

Nepal is considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world for flying and is home to Tenzing-Hillary Airport, which is considered the most dangerous airport in the world due to the shortness of its runway and its proximity to mountainous ranges.

Latest News

  • News

Collette special offers across peak northern summer season

Global tour operator Collette has announced a series of special offers on selected dates across a range of tours in the peak northern hemisphere 2024 summer season. Greece The offers include ‘Greece & Its Islands’ features classics such as the Parthenon as well as the picturesque islands of Mykonos and Santorini. A saving of $700 […]

  • Aviation
  • News

Air India and All Nippon codeshare between the two countries

Air India and All Nippon Airways have signed a codeshare agreement connecting their networks. The new commercial partnership will provide more travel opportunities for customers of both India’s leading global airline and the largest Japan’s largest carrier. Effective from 23rd May, the Air India and All Nippon Airways agreement will see passengers fly to their […]

  • News

A&K offers minimum 18 weeks paid parental leave

A&K Travel Group will now provide a minimum of 18 weeks paid parental leave for both care-givers, setting a new standard for the travel industry. By providing 18 weeks of paid time off for all new parents, regardless of gender, A&K Travel Group is not only enabling parents to spend valuable time with their newborns […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]