Government officials from both Australia and Nepal signed a memorandum of understanding to begin direct flights between the two nations at the International Civil Aviation Organization conference in Montreal, Canada on Monday.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport Michael McCormack said the new arrangements would open new and exciting opportunities for tourism, trade and education.
“Nepal is one of Australia’s largest passenger markets within non-stop range that doesn’t have a direct flight.
“Under these new arrangements, Australian airlines will be able to operate up to seven services a week to Kathmandu and another 28 services a week to all other airports in Nepal," he said.
“Nepalese airlines will be afforded similar opportunities, with potential to fly up to seven services a week to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, along with an unlimited number of services to all regional airports in Australia.”
Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said these arrangements would help further strengthen the people-to-people links between our two countries.
“The growing strength of Australia and Nepal’s relationship is evident with more than 50,000 people born in Nepal currently living in Australia and more than 52,000 Nepali students currently studying in Australia,” Minister Birmingham said.
