Operation of Pokhara-China flights to feature during PM's China visit: Minister Kirati

KASKI, Sep 23: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Sudan Kirati said discussions would be held on regular operation of flights between Pokhara International Airport and Chinese cities during high-level meetings in China.

Talking to journalists in Pokhara today, Minister Kirati shared that during the ongoing visit of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' to China, there will be discussions with the Chinese side on conducting regular flights from various Chinese cities to Pokhara International Airport.

It may be noted that PM Dahal reached China today from New York, the USA for a week-long official visit to the People's Republic of China. 

According to the Minister, the chartered flights from Pokhara International Airport to China and Bhutan in the recent past had given a message of commercial operation of the airport. He said that discussions were being held with India regarding the regular operation of flights to the airport. 

He said that the government was planning to operate Bhairahawa International Airport and Pokhara International Airport in a private-public partnership modality. 

On a different note, the Minister, assessing his performance in the last seven months, said works giving medium-level results were carried out. 

The works undertaken during this period include the procurement process of narrow-body aircraft for air service operation, provision of free cremation at Pashupati Aryaghat and a final attempt to remove Nepal's sky from the blacklist of the European Union among others, he said.