The Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation has formed a task force to address concerns over the artificial shortage of airplane tickets and the resulting surge in airfare prices.
According to the state-run national news agency RSS, Joint Secretary Indu Ghimire leads the task force, which includes representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies, and the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). The team is tasked with investigating ticket sales practices, analyzing the availability of tickets, and identifying instances of black marketeering in the aviation sector.
Joint Secretary and Spokesperson for the Tourism Ministry Ram Krishna Lamichhane told RSS that the task force has been instructed to prepare and submit a report as soon as possible after conducting a study. The report will include recommendations to curb malpractice in ticket sales. Based on these findings, the ministry will take the necessary actions to regulate the situation effectively.
In response to growing public complaints about skyrocketing airfare, Tourism Minister Badri Prasad Pandey on Wednesday instructed airlines operating international flights to provide a detailed breakdown of airfare rates within 24 hours. Complying with the directive, 11 international airlines submitted data on ticket prices, ticket availability, and passenger details by Thursday.
Nepal's aviation sector has faced recurring allegations of cartel among airlines. Domestic and international carriers have previously been accused of inflating ticket prices by creating artificial shortages, especially during peak travel seasons and the festive season. Such practices often leave passengers with no choice but to pay exorbitant prices, according to media reports.
