KATHMANDU: Etihad Airways, the national flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates, has suspended its flights to Nepal citing lack of passengers amidst the COVID-19.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), Etihad informed that they are unable to operate flights due lack of adequate flow of passengers and that the airline is suspending all its flights bound to Nepal.
As stated by CAAN, the company has entered into an agreement with Air Arabia to provide flight services to the passengers by sharing the code even though it does not fly directly to Nepal. Starting from Saturday, Abu Dhabi-Kathmandu flights will be operating for passengers coming from different countries including the United States through Etihad and Air Arabia’s code sharing.
Currently, Air Arabia has been allowed to operate seven flights a week to Sharjah-Kathmandu.
Starting from Saturday Air Arabia will now be allowed to operate four flights a week on the Abu Dhabi-Kathmandu route.
As per CAAN, the company has applied to operate seven flights a week for Abu Dhabi-Kathmandu to begin from October 25. CAAN is under discussion for this proposal. If they received permission, then Air Arabia will be operating seven flights a week through code sharing with Etihad.