Fuel price hike and international crisis pose challenges in air service operations

लगानी न्यूज

१९ चैत्र २०८२, बिहीबार १२:१५April 2, 2026

. The ongoing conflict in the Gulf region has had a direct impact on Nepal’s tourist season. Even pre-booked air tickets by foreign tourists are being canceled, which has made the tourism and air services sector more challenging.

Issuing a press release TAG_OPEN_div_14 today, Buddha Air said, “The recent hike in aviation fuel tariff is not only unexpected but also the highest ever. The automatic increase in fuel prices has had a direct impact on airfares, the statement said. At the same time, the company has clarified that the current fare adjustment is in line with the prevailing rules.

Birendra TAG_OPEN_div_12 Bahadur Basnet, executive chairman of Buddha Air, said that there is no other option but to increase the airfare at the minimum level by adopting utmost restraint even in such adverse situation. According to him, about 40 percent of the total operating cost of the airline is spent on fuel, but after the recent price hike, this ratio has increased to almost 50 percent.

} At the same time, due to the increase in the value of the US dollar, the cost of parts, maintenance, training of technical manpower and other necessary expenses has also increased significantly. In the current situation, the company has no option but to wait for the price of fuel to return to normal. It is also believed that the tourism sector will emerge strong again as the situation returns to normal.

Stating that the tourism sector plays an important role in employment generation, the Finance Minister pointed out the need for the private sector and the government to work together to promote this sector.TAG_OPEN_div_8 “Despite these challenging circumstances, Buddha Air is committed to work with the newly elected government for the promotion of air services and tourism sector,” the statement said.