The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) has allowed 14 more international flights a week to each of the international airlines currently providing their service in Nepal. According to Suresh Acharya, Under Secretary at MoTCA, although they were bound by the Air Service Agreement (ASA) in case of seat capacity, they were not allowed to increase flight numbers. He said “This type of permission is temporary and is valid until the review of the ASA.” International airlines serving in Nepal will be able to add more flights from 1st January 2013. Previously, more flight permission was given during Lumbini Visit Year 2012 and Nepal Tourism Year 2011. The 2012-permission to 10-more-flights-a-week expired on 31st December 2012. 

The permission has been given to ease the international airlines operational in Nepal for New Year 2013. The airlines of 16 countries that are providing their service in Nepal at present will benefit from this decision. MoTCA had given additional flight permissions in 2007 and 2008 as well. Though 32 airlines from 16 countries have received the permission to operate international flights to and from Nepal, only 29  are in service at present. Airlines from countries like the UAE, China, Pakistan, Australia, Bhutan, Saudi Arabia, UK, Russia, Japan etc will benefit from  the permission.