Malaysia Airlines launches direct flights between Kathmandu and Kuala Lumpur
REPUBLICA
KATHMANDU, Sept 1: Malaysia Airlines has commenced direct flights to Kathmandu from Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. The national flag carrier of Malaysia will operate three times a week on Kuala Lumpur-Kathmandu-Kuala Lumpur route.
The airlines is using a two-class configured Boeing 737-800 aircraft with 144 economy class seats and 16 business seats for this route.
Malaysia Airlines flight MH171 landed in Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) at 11:30 in the morning. The flight departed to Kula Lumpur at 12.20 in the afternoon. The airlines is operating flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturday offering 960 seats in both directions each week.
The airlines is offering all-in return economy class promotional fare starting from Rs 45,619.
Addressing a press briefing at TIA, deputy minister of Transport of Malaysia Dato Abdul Rahim Barki, who arrived in the inaugural flight, said air connectivity was going to provide tremendous scope for trade and tourism for both the countries.
Speaking on the occasion, commercial director of the airlines, Dr Hugh Noel Dunleavy said, “Kathmandu is a hub for independent travelers as well as a growing vacation spot.” He said the airlines is also targeting the labor market from Nepal with direct connection. “Given the flights timing, this flight will also act as an excellent connecting flight between Malaysia and various main cities of the world,” he added.
The airlines has also launched attractive holiday packages to Nepal through MAS holidays. Under the package, customers have a choice of full board package with tours to various tourist sites.
Although the airlines has the permit to operate up to seven flights a week, it has announced to operate only three flights a week at present.
Secretary at Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yagya Prasad Gautam expressed hope that the direct flights from Malayasia will boost the tourism of the country. “Large number of migrant workers travelling to Nepal and this direct connection will definitely make the journey hassle free,” said he.
Air Service Agreement (ASA) between Malaysia and Nepal allows Malaysian carriers to operate up to 21 flights a week on the route. Although two other operators are operating direct flight on this route, the route is considered lucrative because of the increasing number of migrant workers and outbound tourist from Nepal.
Coinciding with the commencement of the flight, Malaysia Airlines in association with Tourism Malaysia organized Malaysian Food and Cultural Festival.
Marcopolo Travels is the General Sales Agent (GSA) for the Malaysia Airlines in Nepal.
Although two other airlines are already operating on the route, the sector is considered lucrative as the number of migrant workers and outbound tourist from Nepal is on the rise. More than 500,000 Nepalis are currently working in Malaysia.
PLEASE DESIST FROM ATTACKING THE WRITER PERSONALLY AND BE RESPECTFUL TO OTHER READERS.
Please give your full name while posting your comments. This is not to stifle the free flow of comments but your full name will enable us to print the comments in our newspaper.
Malaysia Airlines Launches Direct Flights Between Kathmandu And Kuala Lumpur
![[del.icio.us]](http://images.del.icio.us/static/img/delicious.small.gif){kind=small}
Copyright © Nepal Republic Media Pvt. Ltd. 2008-10.