BUDDHA, AIR DYNAMIC GET GO-AHEAD TO LAUNCH INT'L FLIGHTS

Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation has permitted Buddha Air – one of the leading domestic airlines – and Air Dynamic to operate international flights. The ministry took the decision after evaluating proposals of four airlines that had shown interests to launch international flights.

Buddha Air has been permitted to use Class 'C' airspace while Air Dynamic has received the ministry's nod to use Class 'B' airspace.

The ministry has fixed class A, B and C airspace for airlines willing to operate international flights. Class 'A' airspace is for long-haul routes, 'B' for medium routes and 'C' for short routes, according to ministry sources.

Buddha Air has been permitted to fly on the Pokhara-Lucknow, Janakpur-Patna and Kathmandu-Paro (Bhutan) sectors. The airline has a fleet of five Beechcraft-1900Ds and two ATR-42. The airline plans to operate ATR-42 aircraft on international flights.

Air Dynamic is planning to fly on Bhairahawa-Gaya, Kathmandu-Delhi, Karachi, Doha, Banaglore, Bagdogra and Kuala Lumpur. It plans to bring in two Boeing 737-800s and a ATR-72 aircraft.

The airlines need to obtain airlines operating certificate (AOC) within six months and launch flights within a year, according to officials.

Source TAAN e-news 31/3/010 http://www.taan.org.np