KATHMANDU: Tourism entrepreneurs today held a press meet and urged the Public Accounts Committee not to interfere in the purchase of the proposed airbus aircraft by Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC). According to the tourism entrepreneurs, the purchase of the aircraft is a must for the economic prosperity of the country.
However, representatives from the Public Accounts Committee said the ineffective management of NAC may affect flight operations. Speaking at the press meet, NAC acting chairman Sugat Ratna Kansakar said that the management of NAC is effective and efficient to operate the new aircraft. “It will be able to conduct flights to America and Europe within three years if everything goes well. Checks and balances are necessary but unnecessary interference will create trouble,” said Kansakar. He added that they are trying their best to operate the new aircraft within September 2010.
Nepal Toruism Year 2011 coordinator Yogendra Shakya said, “Air access is a major problem and due to the decision making at the political level, this factor is affected.” According to Basanta Raj Mishra, president of Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO), tourism and civil aviation should move side by side. Nepal is a landlocked country. Therefore, enhancement and development of air transportation is a must. The ongoing suspicion about NAC’s aircraft purchase is not reasonable said Mishra adding that investigation can be made after the arrival of the aircraft.
“ We are welcoming national flag carriers after the 90s, which is a great achievement for the country as it can help increase tourist arrivals and promote the national economy as a whole,” said Suman Pandey, CEO of Fishtail. PAC says Boeing and Airbus both at a time cannot be operated.
