KATHMANDU, July 18: Wizz Air, a low-cost airliner based in the UAE, has proposed operating flights from the Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) in Bhairahawa to Abu Dhabi for Rs 13,000. Wizz Air has expressed interest in operating regular flights on the Bhairahawa-Abu Dhabi route if the Government of Nepal provides discounts on takeoff costs.
This airline intends to start flights between GBIA in Bhairahawa to Abu Dhabi at an average one-way fare of only $100 (about NRS 13,000).
Wizz Air submitted a proposal through its General Sales Agents (GSA), Society International Travel, to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).
Despite the commercial risks of starting flights at a newly established airport without any certified international traffic records, Wizz Air is willing to proceed with flight operations. The airline has indicated it will implement a specific entrepreneurial business model and has set certain conditions to fulfill before commencing regular flights.
Wizz Air is a member of the GS Air Society International Travel, which has requested for facilitation in flight operations from the new airports.
Air service providers requests 5 facilities including flight operations with VAT exemptions in Bhairahawa
Air service providers wishing to operate flights from Bhairahawa have requested VAT exemptions. They seek a 3-year VAT exemption of up to 13 percent on air tickets, as well as exemptions for landing, parking, and navigation fees for the same duration. They have also demanded fuel subsidies applicable to aviation fuel used at GBIA, and a 3-year exemption from the Rs 3,000 fee collected from each passenger by the CAAN for Bhairahawa. Additionally, they have requested a 5 percent revenue rebate for ticket sales at Bhairahawa and Pokhara airports for up to 3 years. Jazeera, Air Arabia, and Air Astana informed the government agencies about these demands through Society Travel.