(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-12-07 14:01

KATHMANDU -- Hong Kong Express Airways is beginning thrice-weekly direct flights between China's Hong Kong and Nepali capital Kathmandu from next Thursday, becoming the eighth international carrier to connect Nepal over the past 13 months, The Kathmandu Post reported on Friday.

"The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has already given the green light. We will commence flights using Boeing 737-800 aircraft from December 13," said Bhola Bikram Thapa, executive director of Hong Kong-Nepal Travels and Tour, the general sales agent of Hong Kong Express in Nepal.

According to the daily, Dragon Air, another carrier linking Kathmandu and Hong Kong, had re-launched its four weekly services last week.

Meanwhile, Thai Airways has sought permission from the Nepal government to add three flights a week from January 15, pushing up its total weekly flights to 10. The airline flies between Kathmandu and Bangkok using Boeing 777 aircraft, which has a capacity of 309 seats configured into 30 business and 279 economy class.

With tourists and domestic travelers taking to the skies in increasing numbers in recent days, Nepal has become a profitable destination for foreign airlines. Almost all the incoming flights are fully packed, with many travelers complaining about not being able to buy tickets. This year, Nepal is set to welcome a record half a million vacationers, the daily said.