Himalaya Airlines on Friday launched scheduled commercial flights to Yangon, Myanmar. The airline said the flight to Myanmar is part of their initiative to strengthen direct connections with around 3,00,000 people of Nepali origin residing there. The flight took off from Tribhuvan International Airport at 10:55 (local time) and touched down at Yangon International Airport, Yangon, at 14:15 (local time). With the launch twice weekly (Mondays and Fridays) flights, Himalaya Airlines has re-established direct links with Myanmar after a long gap. Previously, Union of Burma Airways used to operate flights between Yangon and Kathmandu. Myanmar’s Ambassador to Nepal Lwin Oo, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Joint Secretary Suresh Acharya and Himalaya Airlines Vice President- Administration Vijay Shrestha were also on board among passengers of the first flight. “We are thrilled to mark another milestone in our commitment to serve Nepali tourism industry by increasing Nepal’s air connectivity in Asiatic region,” said Shrestha. “With the launch of this route, Himalaya Airlines will enhance its network by providing more choices for travellers in Myanmar and Nepal to conveniently connect within the countries,” he said. The roundtrip fare starts from Rs29,600, excluding government taxes. The airline has appointed Unique Asia Travel & Tours as its general sales agents (GSA) for Myanmar. According to government statistics, Myanmar is among the top seven tourist source markets for Nepal. Last year, Nepal received 25,769 tourists from Myanmar, with a majority of them entering the country overland. Among them, 15,284 visited Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha. Himalaya Airline’s support to Prayas Nepal Himalaya Airlines donated 17 sacks of rice, stationery and chocolates to children at Prayas Nepal, Baluwatar. Issuing a statement, the airline said that it believed sustainability and responsibility were critical to ensuring environmental, social and economic prosperity. According to the company, Prayas Nepal has been running the home for orphans, and abandoned, abused and physically-challenged children from different parts of the country.