KATHMANDU: Omni Group has reportedly failed to pay millions in airfare to Nepal Airlines, stemming from chartered flights during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Records show that under the title “China (COVID) 2020,” Nepal Airlines has a pending receivable of Rs 19.4 million from Omni Group and the government.
During the pandemic, a high-level COVID-19 prevention and control coordination committee, led by then-Deputy Prime Minister Ishwar Pokharel under KP Oli’s government, approved the procurement of medical supplies.
Omni Group participated in this process and chartered a Nepal Airlines flight on March 28, 2020, to transport supplies to China. The flight was reportedly attended by then-Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai.
Omni Group has also faced allegations of procuring medical supplies at above-market prices in coordination with the previous government.
Besides Omni Group, Nepal Airlines has recorded outstanding payments from the government amounting to Rs 48.7 million from 2005, Rs 11.4 million for 2022 Pakistan flood relief flights, and Rs 57.8 million for 2023 Israel-Gaza war evacuation flights, totaling NPR 137.3 million.
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