Kathmandu, March 18: The number of passengers using international flights at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) has declined by a shocking 70% due to the global onset of coronavirus disease, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).
Similarly, the cancellation rate of international flight country’s sole international airport stands at as high as 60% with the issuance of fresh travel advisories from countries across the globe.
The CAAN sources inform that the daily air movements have now down to 60/65 from more than 100 in the past. International airlines like Korean Air, Thai Air have cut down their flight frequency to Nepal along with Qatar Airways suspending its air service to the country.
Similarly, the domestic air operators like Nepal Airlines and Himalaya Airlines have also suspended their flights to foreign destinations like Kuala Lumpur, Chongqing, Beijing, etc. The CAAN estimates that the TIA’s earning will go down by 35% to Rs 4 billion this year compared to the last.
Meanwhile, the international airport management has sought public cooperation so as keep the airport safe and hygienic in view of the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
Citing the disappearance of the bottles of hand sanitizer placed in the bathrooms and other areas for safety purposes it says,” Everyone visiting the airport shall cooperate in order to keep this crowded place safe from the possible attacks of the coronavirus.
Over the last two months, the TIA has taken several measures to prevent the deadly disease from spreading in the country. For instance, it has arranged health desk and temperature scanning machine at the arrival area for health check-up of passengers
