KATHMANDU: After about 90 percent of the tickets have been sold, the airline companies have reduced the airfares claiming it as a Dashain discount to the customers.

In the discussion between Tourism Minister Sudan Kirati and representatives of related airlines at the Ministry of Tourism on Sunday, it was agreed to reduce the percentage of the maximum fare and increase the percentage of the minimum and medium fare.

Based on the same agreement, the relevant airline companies said that they have reduced the percentage of the maximum airfare and increased it to a lower rate with effect from Monday.

By the time Tourism Minister Kirati took interest and discussed with the relevant airline companies, more than 90 percent of air tickets for Dashain had been sold in most destinations.

Rupesh Joshi, senior marketing director of Buddha Air, said that since the money for the already sold tickets cannot be refunded, there is no option but to reduce the maximum number of tickets available and sell them.

“Some destinations do not have tickets at all. What is to be reduced on the tickets that are sold within the fare rate set by the government without giving any concessions?” he said, “Now the remaining tickets will be reduced.”

Airline companies have said that the airfare will be fixed within the limits given by the government.

Yeti Air spokesperson Sudarshan Bartaula said, “In order to reduce the airfare, it should have been increased as well, the issue Dhangadhi fares was exaggerated on social media and reached the minister. We have made it clear to the minister about the situation of the rental rate, the issue of fixing the rental rate, and the remaining maximum limit after the end of the cheap sale,” Sudarshan Bartaula, the spokesperson of Yeti Airlines said.

Airline companies have said that they have agreed to reduce the fares of the remaining maximum limit as Minister Kirati said to set a basis that can reassure the people.

Airline companies have reduced the percentage of maximum fares and higher percentages of minimum fares, so the ticket from Kathmandu to Dhangadhi has decreased from 2,000 to 2,500 rupees.

“Even if the fare is reduced for passengers who buy tickets now, there will be no refunds for passengers who have already sold out and there are no more tickets available as well,” Tanka Bhul, a student who arranged for alternative routes after not getting the air ticket to Dhangadhi said.