KATHMANDU: Foreign Minister Dr Arzu Rana Deuba has called for additional air routes between Nepal and India, aiming to enhance connectivity and promote tourism.
Addressing the Indo-Nepal Economic Conference in New Delhi on Friday, Rana put emphasis on the importance of expanding air travel to fully utilize the two new international airports in Nepal—Pokhara and Lumbini.
“We have built two international airports in Pokhara and Lumbini, both of which are significant cities. Pokhara is a major tourist destination, and Lumbini is the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha,” Rana said during her speech. “We want to expand not only tourism but also overall connectivity through these airports. Therefore, Nepal is seeking additional air routes to operate these two airports at full capacity.”
Rana said that these airports were built at a considerable cost, and Nepal is actively seeking support from neighboring countries to ensure they are fully operational. She urged Indian airlines to increase flights to Nepal, noting that the Nepal government is offering maximum concessions to private Indian airlines to encourage this growth.
In her address, Rana said the operation of these airports would not only boost tourism but also strengthen people-to-people ties between the two countries.
She believes that expanding air routes and ensuring the airports operate at full capacity will unlock the tourism potential of both Nepal and India, contributing to greater regional connectivity within South Asia.
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