CAAN takes action against NAC, Himalaya Airlines for not boarding flights from Bhairahawa

NAC permitted seven flights to transport Indian nationals to Saudi Arabia

KATHMANDU, May 19: The national flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) is to drop Indian nationals presently stuck in Nepal to Saudi Arabia. The NAC has, on the recommendation of the Indian Embassy, scheduled seven flights towards the Saudi Arabia targeting those Indian citizens who arrived here en route to the largest country in the Middle East with the Indian Government decision to suspend the international flights there in a bid to stem the spread of second wave Covid-19. They are stranded in Nepal following the suspension of international flights from Nepal also since May 6.  The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has permitted the operation of 10 flights to take Indians to their destinations. The NAC and Himalaya Airlines are each sharing seven and three flights each other.  NAC Spokesperson Karishma Shrestha said seven flights have been arranged for those Indians desperate to go to Saudi Arabia and the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu is coordinating towards that end.  Earlier, the NAC has also got directions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the same. Five flights are for Riyadh and two are for Dammam.  According to the Ministry (Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation), the NAC was assigned to make seven flights for Saudi Arabia due to its noticeable performance during the Covid-19 crisis. The NAC is also engaged in operating cargo flights to transport most essentials supplies which also includes medical goods from several countries when the country is battling with the second wave of Covid-19.  It has already ensured the import of empty oxygen cylinders, oxygen concentrators, anti-Covid vaccines and other essential medical supplies from China and India. Besides, it recently on May 15 made a landing carrying 335 oxygen cylinders,  oxygen concentrators and other essential supplies from Oman.