Air China to Expand Services to Nepal

Air China is preparing to extend its service to Nepal from different Chinese cities from early next year. General Manager of Kathmandu office of Air China, Qiao Shuwen, said the airline would operate one flight every day from Lhasa to Kathmandu during July-October 2007. The Chinese airliner has been operating flights on Lhasa-Kathmandu route during the high tourism season only. “It will also give continuity to four flights a week in March- June, which it has been operating at present in other seasons as well,” Shuwen said. Passengers can fly to Chinese cities Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Qingdao and other major cities from Kathmandu on the same day once China Air expands its services. This was disclosed in a program jointly organized by Nepal Tourism Board and Air China on November 26, 2006.

Nepal Tourism Board and Air China have agreed to carryout various tourism joint promotion programs in Nepal and China. As per the agreement Nepal Tourism Board and Air China will jointly invite 10 journalists and Air China will invite 10 tour operators from China for familiarization trip of Nepal between 25 November and 2nd December 2006. NTB will take care of all the necessary logistics and ground handling in Nepal and Air China will provide 20 FOC (free of charge) round trip air tickets for Beijing Kathmandu sector for the tour operators and journalists. The journalists and tour operators are currently visiting various places of tourist’s interest in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan.

Similarly NTB and Air China also agreed to organize press and tour operators’ meets in Kathmandu and five major cities of China viz. Lhasa, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing. The first leg of the program has been organized in Kathmandu in November 26 amidst a gathering of Nepalese and Chinese tour operators and journalists. Air China also made announcements of its new flight-schedules between Chendgu-Lhasa- Kathmandu routes during the program. According to Air China, in 2007, it

will operate daily flights between Lhasa and Kathmandu in high season, from July 1 to October 30; 4 flights a week in normal season, from March 29 to June 30 and once a week during low season, November 1 to March 28.