Kathmandu, April 25 :
Nepal and China are set to conduct bilateral talks in the coming month of July with an aim to strengthen aviation connectivity between the two countries.
Given that no any single Nepali aircraft so far fly to the northern neighbour, the proposed bilateral talks will focus on changing this situation. So, seeking slots for Nepali airlines in the newly-built airport in Beijing will be the main agenda of the Nepali side, it is learnt.
The very issue would surface during President Bidhya Devi Bhandari’s state visit to China, which commenced from Wednesday (April 24).
The Chinese government has already expressed willingness to open-air entry routes for Nepali air carriers to fly to various Chinese destinations from Nepal.
As per the revised bilateral air services agreement (ASA) signed between Nepal and China on February 25, 2014, they have to operate 56 flights per week through any type of aircraft on a reciprocal basis.
The very ASA has also a provision which gives unlimited traffic rights for cargo-only flights through any type of aircraft. It has also permitted bilateral and third-party code sharing by carriers of the two countries.
However, all the aforementioned options and facilities have so far been utilised by Chinese airline carriers only.
