Cosmic Air starts Kolkata-Kathmandu flight

Nepal's leading private airline, Cosmic Air, on Friday launched operations between Kathmandu and Kolkata, making the metropolis its second important destination in India after Delhi.

The airline, which now flies to remote areas in the Himalayan kingdom, would operate three flights a week on the Kathmandu-Kolkata-Kathmandu sector.

"The airline, which already has two flights a day to Delhi, will operate three flights a week on the Kathmandu-Kolkata-Kathmandu sector with 105 seater Fokker-100 aircraft," an airline official said.

Click here to find the lowest airfares

With a turnover in domestic revenues of up to $50 million, the airline is currently operating from Kathmandu to Pokhara, Jomsom, Bharatpur, Biratnagar, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Simara, Tumlingtar besides Delhi and Dhaka.

The objective of the airlines was to reach out to more people in India, the official said. On the occasion, the airline has offered a promotional fare of Rs 2,800 plus tax for the 75-minute journey between Kolkata and Kathmandu and Rs 5400 plus tax for a return journey.

However, under 'Buy one ticket and get one free' scheme, the fare would be pegged at the published fare of Rs 3,391 plus tax one-way and Rs 6,782 plus tax for return journey. Tickets under this scheme must be purchased and utilised by August 31, 2005, the official said.

Nepal's Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Buddhi Raj Bajracharya, Director General of Civil Aviation, Rajesh Dali and Cosmic Air managing director, M B Mathema flew to Kolkata on the inaugural flight from Kathmandu.