Why is Kathmandu-Bhairahawa flight considered a 'rescue flight' by Nepal Airlines?

Kathmandu, October 8 — Nepal Airlines announced a new flight schedule on Monday about operating narrow-body aircraft between Kathmandu and Bhairahawa. This flight service was initiated under the direction of Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Badri Pandey, connecting Nepal's two international airports.

Given the shortage of tickets for regular flights by private airlines and Nepal Airlines, this new service has provided some relief for travelers. The initiative has been widely praised.

However, the airline has labeled this flight as a "rescue flight." Typically, rescue flights are operated to transport individuals stranded in disaster-hit areas to safety. Passengers on such flights do not pay for their tickets; the government covers the costs. This term was previously used to describe flights that brought stranded Nepalese home during the Israel conflict and to evacuate citizens from Wuhan during the COVID-19 pandemic.

But why is this flight, with a fare of 7,000 rupees to Bhairahawa, being referred to as a rescue flight? Manoj Kumar Sah, spokesperson for Nepal Airlines, explains, "It could also be called a chartered flight, but because it's being used to transport travelers stranded due to road blockages from floods and landslides, it's categorized as a rescue flight."

While other airlines charge around 8,400 rupees for tickets from Kathmandu to Bhairahawa, Nepal Airlines has set its fare at 7,000 rupees, according to spokesperson Sah. He noted that while this may not significantly benefit the airline, it was launched in accordance with the ministry's directive and the airline's responsibility to the public. He added that although there is a need for additional flights, scheduling constraints prevent this from being feasible.