Int’l air carriers see boost in passenger movement

With more Nepalis departing for foreign employment and increased tourist movement, international airlines operating in Nepal saw a 19.39 percent rise in passenger movement in the first six months (Jan-June) of 2011 compared to the same period last year.

Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), the sole international airport of Nepal, reported that passenger volume in the first six months reached 1,286,470 against 1,140,142 in the same period last year. “The ongoing Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) has contributed to the growth,” said Dinesh Prasad Shrestha, deputy director general at Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).

Thanks to NTY, tourist arrivals by air increased 25 percent in the first half of 2011. Nepal Tourism Board’s statistics show that a total of 245,363 tourists entered Nepal via air over the period against 196,319 last year.

The increased seat demand has also prompted international carriers to increase their flight frequency.

A total 10,827 international flight movements were recorded over the period against 9,068 in the same period last year. According to Shrestha, increased departure of Nepali migrant workers boosted airlines’ passenger movement. “The international airlines movement has exceeded over 70 flights per day.”

TIA statistics show that Jet Airways, Air Arabia, Spice Jet, Fly Dubai and Etihad Airways saw the strongest growth in passenger movement in the first half of 2011. Jet Airways topped the chart, carrying 139,083 passengers during this period, followed by Qatar Airways and Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC).

Jet saw a growth of 15.18 percent, while Qatar’s passenger movement fell 9.55 percent in the first six months. Spice Jet, low-cost airline from India, has made an impressive beginning in the Nepali skies. The airline that entered Nepal in October 2010 carried 80,165 passengers, placing it among the top five international carriers.

The entry of more Indian airlines in Nepal saw the Indian Airlines losing passengers. As per TIA statistics, Indian Airlines’ passengers came down by 23.41 percent in the first half of 2011.

Increased passenger movement, however, has not brought any cheers to the national flag carrier NAC. It slipped to the third position in terms of passenger movement. It recorded a negative growth of 15.27 in the first six months.

TIA’s statistics throw interesting facts about airlines from the Middle-East. New entrants like Etihad Airways, Air Arabia are making impressive progress, but old players like Qatar Airways and Gulf Air saw decline in their passenger movements.

Air Arabia saw a 26.95 percent growth in passenger movement, while Etihad Airways registered 28.28 percent growth. However, Gulf Air posted a negative growth with the number of passengers dropping by 28 percent. Airlines from the Middle-East are heavily dependent of Nepali migrant workers.

Passenger movement in major airlines

Top Ten Airlines

Airline 2011(First 6months)
Jet Airways 139,083 +15.18
Qatar Airways 124,957 -9.55
Nepal Airlines 102,481 -15.27
Air Arabia 96,610 +26.95
Spice Jet 80,165 ...........
Thai Airways 75,054 - 14.01
Fly Dubai 73,132 +141.67
Gulf Air 70,065 -28.82
Etihad Airways 63,170 +28.28
Air India 61,558 -23.41

(Source: TIA)