Rescuing Nepalis from UAE not at free of cost

Kathmandu, 6 June: The Foreign Ministry had informed that the UAE government was to conduct rescue flights for Nepalis stranded in UAE to Kathmandu at free of cost, however, the Air Arabia had collected airfare from Nepalis flying to Kathmandu.

Likewise, those names in the government priority list were excluded, whereas, other passengers were boarded in, reports Kantipur daily.

The Airlines agent had collected 1550 Diram (45 thousand Nepali rupees).

Nepal had allowed operating rescue flight as the UAE government informed that it was operating rescue flight on their own. Nepal’s Foreign Ministry had then asked the Civil Aviation Ministry to allow flights from UAE earliest as possible.

In the meantime, officials in the Nepal Airlines Corporation had approached and alerted to the Civil Aviation Ministry authorities whether the rescue flights were at free of cost or not. The NAC officials had asked the Ministry not to allow the UAE aircrafts if they are charging airfare from travelers at a time when Nepal’s own aircraft are grounded at TIA.

When the agent of the Air Arabia asked to deposit airfare, the Nepal Embassy in UAE informed to the UAE’s foreign ministry. At that time, the Ministry informed that priority was given to the passengers who have paid airfare, and free passengers will be boarded in the aircraft in the remaining seats.

The Trans Guard Company had paid airfare of 24 Nepalis and other 22 passengers travelling on their own had paid airfare. The Company and another Ijada Company had brought 79 and 67 passengers to the Airport.

When the Embassy was informed about all these, it was already late as 30 passengers were already boarded in the aircraft.

However, Myanmar had sent Nepalis stranded there by its air-force aircraft.

People’s News Monitoring Service