Nepal stalls Air Arabia flights
Reports from Nepal indicate the country’s civil aviation authority have rescinded the permit for Air Arabia to operate flights between Kathmandu and Kuala Lumpur.
It is believed Nepal Airlines lobbied government officials to stall Air Arabia in order to protect one of its most lucrative routes.
The route is widely used by Nepalese migrant workers travelling to Malaysia for employment.
The Civil Aviation Ministry said the deal with the Sharjah-based airline had been scrapped following a directive from parliament’s international relations committee.
However, an Air Arabia representative in Nepal said the flights would come into operation this month as agreed between the two countries.
“We are not challenging the parliamentary committee’s decision but simply following the law,†the representative said.
Nepal tourism secretary Kishor Thapa warned there could be consequences: “The government will have to suffer if any problem arises from this,†he said.
Ian Jarrett
Have your say Cancel reply
Subscribe/Login to Travel Mole Newsletter
Travel Mole Newsletter is a subscriber only travel trade news publication. If you are receiving this message, simply enter your email address to sign in or register if you are not. In order to display the B2B travel content that meets your business needs, we need to know who are and what are your business needs. ITR is free to our subscribers.

































Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
Qatar Airways offers reduced timetable to over 60 destinations
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025
Marginal increase for New York City tourism in 2025
Hands In, UATP join forces for airline multi-card payments