5 days ago
Buddha Air Maintains Kathmandu-Kolkata Flights Amid Nepal Floods
Buddha Air is still flying between Kathmandu and Kolkata while Nepal is dealing with severe floods.
On Thursday, 61 people flew from Kathmandu to Kolkata, and 40 flew the other way.
More passengers are scheduled to travel on Saturday.
The airline says it has not seen cancellations or requests for extra flights.
It says Kathmandu is safe for visiting passengers.
Higher fuel prices have made plane tickets more expensive.
Because of this, many budget travellers are choosing trains instead.
The report also says floods have killed more than 550 people in Nepal and that 320 Indian nationals cannot be contacted.
Buddha Air flew 61 passengers from Kathmandu to Kolkata on Thursday, while 40 travelled in the opposite direction.
The airline plans to carry 46 more passengers to Kolkata and 20 to Kathmandu on Saturday.
Buddha Air operates direct Kolkata-Kathmandu flights four days a week using ATR-72 aircraft with 72-seat capacity.
The airline reported no requests for extra flights or booking cancellations, with current passengers mainly official and business travellers.
Nepal’s flood death toll exceeded 550, while 320 Indian nationals remained out of contact, according to the report.
- Who
- Buddha Air, its passengers, and people affected by the Nepal floods.
- What
- Buddha Air continued direct flights between Kathmandu and Kolkata as flood deaths in Nepal exceeded 550.
- Where
- Between Kathmandu, Nepal, and Kolkata, India; the flooding occurred in Nepal.
- When
- Passenger figures were reported for Thursday, with additional flights scheduled for Saturday; the flood death toll was reported on Friday.
- Why
- Flights are continuing because the airline reported ongoing passenger demand, while higher aviation-fuel prices have pushed up fares and severe floods have caused a major humanitarian emergency.
Key facts
- Thursday passenger traffic
- 61 passengers flew from Kathmandu to Kolkata, while 40 departed Kolkata for Kathmandu.
- Saturday schedule
- 46 passengers are scheduled to fly to Kolkata and 20 to Kathmandu.
- Flight frequency
- Buddha Air operates direct flights between Kolkata and Kathmandu on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
- Aircraft capacity
- The airline operates ATR-72 aircraft with a capacity of 72 passengers.
- Typical return fare
- A return ticket usually costs around Rs 18,000, although higher aviation-fuel prices have increased airfares.
- Alternative transport
- Sources said nearly 80 percent of budget travellers are choosing rail travel to reach Nepal.
- Flood impact
- Nepal’s flood death toll rose above 550, while 320 Indian nationals remained out of contact.
Quotes
Uday Shankar Ghosh
Kolkata Station Officer for Buddha Air
“We have neither received any request to provide additional flights, nor have there been any booking cancellations so far.”
thestatesman.com
“Kathmandu is safe, and passengers are continuing their visits. Flights witness huge rushes on Saturdays and Sundays.”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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