image003Himalaya Airlines has started direct flight service between Kathmandu and Dubai from April 28. The maiden flight to Dubai, according to the airlines, was fully occupied. “The inaugural flight departed from Tribhuvan International Airport at 10:40 am and touched down at Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International Airport at 1:25 pm (Dubai local time),” says a statement issued by Himalaya Airlines. According to the company, Dubai is its new flight destination after scheduled flights in destinations such as Doha, Kuala Lumpur and Yangon. SaeedHamdan Al Naqbi, ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Nepal, jointly inaugurated the flight service along with government officials. “The launch of direct flights to Dubai is an important development for Himalaya Airlines. We anticipate high demand on the route, providing a further boost to inbound and outbound tourist traffic from the Middle East,” said Vijay Shrestha, vice president, administration, of Himalaya Airlines. Himalaya Airlines will operate three flights to Dubai per week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The airline will operate one of its three Airbuses 320-214 on the route, offering eight business class and 150 economy class seats to travellers. The company has set starting ticket price at Rs 24,827 for round trip of Kathmandu-Dubai-Kathmandu and 350 AED for Dubai-Kathmandu-Dubai, reads a press statement.