Seventeen years after suspension of its regular flight by German's Lufthansa Airlines and six years after Austrian Airlines, Turkish Airlines launched its flights service to Nepal linking directly Europe with Kathmandu. Turkish Airline is now 27^th Airlines to operate its flight to Tribhuwan International Airport. Director General of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal Ratish Chandra Lal Suman attended as a chief guest in a program organized to celebrate its inaugural flights to Nepal.

According to a press release of Turkish Airlines, , roundtrip flights between Kathmandu will be operated four times per week Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday linking two historical cities of Europe and Asia. Inaugurating the regular flights, director general of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAN) said that CAN will provide all necessary support to Turkish Airlines. "This is a very historic moment for Nepal as capital of Kathmandu's distance to Europe will be much shorter now."

Despite a minor complication, Nepal's Tribhuwan International Airport is internationally certified Airport of the world and it follows all International Convention and safety standard prescribed by ICAO and other international organization." "We are working to improve the standard of TIA. The recent flight disturbance caused by path-hole in the runway will be sorted out once we received from International consultant hired to overview the situation," said Suman.

Nepal Tourism Board greets the occasion as milestone in promoting tourism in Nepal. "We are very happy to say that Nepal can lure more tourists from Europe," said Aditya Baral, director of Nepal Tourism Board. "Nepal is now more close to America and Europe than before," said Baral.

Turkish Airlines, which is ranked best airline in Europe for the third consecutive year, has shorten the time for traveler from Europe and United States of America. As Nepal receives over 200,000 tourists from Europe and America, their flights will make easy for travelling in Nepal.

"This is a great moment for us also. Turkish Airline is proud to start its maiden regular air service to Nepal. We will expect that Turkish Airline will have daily in near future," said Sezgin SAGLAM, senior vice president, marketing and sales (II region).

"Introductory round trip fares are available from Istanbul to Kathmandu starting from 406 Euros (including taxes and fees). Additionally, for the first six months of operation to our new destination, there is a special offer for our Miles and Smiles members, with a reduction in the miles needed to redeem either award tickets or upgrades," said Adan Aykac, general manager, northern and Eastern India.

"It is happiest moment for me to see direct connection between Turkey's capital Istanbul and Kathmandu. The two cities have many things to share as there are many cultural similarities. I use to spent more than 14 hours to come to Nepal. After the introduction of the flights, the time is shorten to just 6 hours now," said professor. DR. F Gunseli Makoc, honorary consulate general of Nepal to Turkey.

Talking to this subscribe, Joy Dewan, managing director of Zenith Travels Pvt. Ltd, GSA of Turkish Airlines in Nepal, said this is the first time since the suspension of flights by German Airline Lufthansa, Nepal is once again directly connected to Europe. "It will definite to increase the volume of passengers."