IndiGo looking to start Kathmandu operations from August
18 Jun 2011
Kathmandu: Budget carrier IndiGo, which has announced the start of international operations from September, could actually commence services to Kathmandu, the capital of the Himalayan republic of Nepal, from August itself, should necessary clearances from Nepal be provided in time.
Reports suggest that IndiGo's would be a daily service.
Earlier, the Gurgaon, Delhi-based domestic airline, announced it would start international operations from September, with flights to Dubai, Singapore and Bangkok. If Nepal's tourism and civil aviation ministry manage early clearances then IndiGo could go international from August itself.
It is being given to understand that IndiGo has received clearances form Indian civil aviation authorities for the New Delhi-Kathmandu service.
Nepal celebrates 2011 as its tourism year and has set a target of drawing one million tourists.
IndiGo will likely press a new 180-seat Airbus 320 to service the route.
Currently, Jet Airways and Air India operate services between the two capitals along with Spicejet.
There is widespread expectation that IndiGo will very likely spark off a fare war on the route by dropping fares to Nepali Rs5,000 one-way. Current fares on budget airlines stand at about Nepali Rs7,000. Though geographically very close, high fares on the India-Nepal sector acts as a deterrent in attracting larger number of tourists.
