MoCTCA forms task force to investigate air ticket shortage, fare hikes

KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) has formed a task force to investigate the artificial shortage of air tickets and the resulting exorbitant prices.

The task force led by MoCTCA Joint Secretary Indu Ghimire includes representatives from Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoICS), and the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).

MoCTCA Joint Secretary and Spokesperson Ram Krishna Lamichhane stated that the task force is mandated to submit a report as soon as possible after studying the air tickets purchased by passengers, the tickets sold by airlines, and any black-market activities.

The task force will provide recommendations, and MoCTCA will make necessary decisions based on these suggestions.

Following public complaints about increased airfares, Tourism Minister Badri Prasad Pandey on Wednesday directed airlines operating international flights to provide their fare rates within 24 hours.

In response to the directive, 11 airlines operating international flights to and from Nepal have submitted information on ticket prices, availability, and passenger details, according to MoCTCA.