Airlines operators today withdrew last week’s decision to hike fuel surcharge, but said it was a temporary measure intended to give the government time to make a decision by Wednesday. The withdrawal was announced after a meeting with officials of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) today.
Tri Ratna Manandhar, Deputy Director General of CAAN, said the government would take a decision on the surcharge issue soon.
Issuing a press release, the Airlines Operators’ Association of Nepal (AOAN) said it accepted the government’s request to put on hold the hike until the ministry takes a decision in this regard.
On Saturday, a few domestic airlines had increased fuel surcharge ranging from Rs 90 to Rs 310 after the NOC raised Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices. The government had, however, told the airlines to first discuss with CAAN before increasing the surcharge. During today’s meeting, the operators asked the government to put the mathematical formula used to determine fuel surcharges on auto mode so that there will be an automatic adjustment in surcharge whenever there is an increase or decease in ATF price in the future.
They requested the government to consult AOAN while increasing the ATF prices and to allow the private sector to distribute ATF.
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