It´s not a good time for the airline industry now with airlines facing billions in losses and cutting jobs (IATA has said airlines will lose around $11 billion this year) and you have just started services. How has this affected you?
I think it is the perfect time. We are very fortunate that we are a start-up. We are starting just this year, which means we are starting with a clean sheet. So everything we have is new. If you want to focus on being more efficient, you can do it in the starting. It is very difficult for an airline to cut back. We are also building for the future. People will always travel and they will travel more and more in the future.
How do you expect the ´paying separately for everything´ concept to be accepted here? Don´t you think it is in fact a little bit complicated?
Our aim is to make travel less complicated, less stressful and cheaper. On the flight here, I found the Nepalis engaged with the flight crew well and I see no problem. I personally find the Nepalis to be very well organized and interactive. Our sales points will also help people to customize. Also, we are open and ready to find out what we may be lacking and make necessary changes. We allow people to pick and choose the services that they want to avail and not pay extra for what they have no intention of using. We don´t offer all the little extras the full services provide, giving you the basics - your seat, all taxes and charges and one hand luggage. Everything else is your decision.
Your flights are mostly based around the Middle East. What about passengers who plan to go beyond that?
Right now we do not want to go beyond a distance of four and a half hours. But, there are many airlines flying in an out of Dubai. We also have support of Emirates Airline. Kathmandu is our eleventh destination and we hope to add more flights and destinations to this region too.
What future plans do you have for Nepal? What promotional activities do you have?
Our target is to make it easy for people traveling to and from Nepal to go to Dubai and beyond. And hopefully, if the cost is cheaper, more people will travel. We hope to increase flights and are targeting not just taking the thousands of Nepalis who work in our region and their families at low cost but also bringing in tourists. I am encouraged by what Nepal offers. Not a lot of people know about it. I´ve been in this industry for 20 to 23 years and this is my first time here and I feel guilty for that. I am sure that by working with the government and other agencies, we can promote Nepal back home and in the region.
For starters, we will bring lots of press and travel agents to come and see this country. When they come here, I am sure they will see the value of promoting this part of the world. There will be no excuse then. The flight is available. It is affordable and it is easy.
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