International airlines will now be allowed to operate in-flight shops. The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has prepared a working procedure to allow carriers to operate on-board duty-paid in-flight shops as per the Good Governance (Management and Operation) Act- 2006.
As per the procedure, released last week, foreign airliners wishing to run such shops in their aeroplanes are required to take permission from the ministry.
For the submission, they must submit documents that clarify the type and quality of objects to be kept in the shop, the process to procure and store those objects, measures to guarantee hygiene, food safety and consumer rights, and payment gateways.
The objects to be put up for sale must be sealed and undergo security checks as mandated by the airports, the procedures stated.
Similarly, these objects must be cleared by the customs of the concerned international airport.
The details of the items sold and money earned must be maintained by the airlines and must be presented when asked.
The airline companies must also provide the customers with proper bills of sale and abide by all prevailing tax regulations.
However, the on-board shops are not allowed to sell items prohibited by Nepali law.
The airliners must comply with all rules enforced by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
