Nepalis in Oman urge resumption of direct flights to Nepal – The Himalayan Times – Nepal’s No.1 English Daily Newspaper

MUSCAT, OCTOBER 18

With limited opportunities back home, thousands of Nepalis continue to travel abroad in search of better livelihoods and careers – and Oman is no exception.

It is estimated that nearly 30,000 Nepalis currently reside in Oman, a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). According to Suresh Khadka, Chairperson of the Social Club Oman, about half of them are employed as domestic workers, while others work in healthcare, engineering, hospitality, and other skilled sectors. Despite the Nepali government’s ban on issuing domestic worker visas for Oman, many still find ways to enter the country for employment, Khadka noted.

Nepal’s Ambassador to Oman, Dornath Aryal, said that the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on labour cooperation between the two countries is in its final stage and expected to be concluded soon. The agreement, he noted, would significantly help streamline and regulate labour migration.

Nepal’s Ambassador to Oman, Dornath Aryal, at the Nepali Embassy in Muscat. Photo: Mausam Shah ‘Nepali’/THT

However, Ambassador Aryal highlighted that air connectivity between Nepal and Oman remains suspended, even years after airlines halted direct flights during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The absence of direct flights has caused significant inconvenience for Nepalis travelling home, resulting in long transits and frequent delays. It has also adversely affected trade, commerce, and tourism between the two nations,” Aryal said.

Before the suspension of services, Oman Air and Salam Air operated regular flights between Kathmandu and Muscat. But both airlines discontinued the route after the pandemic, citing reduced demand.

Khadka attributed the continued suspension to operational challenges faced by Oman Air, particularly the reduction of its regular flights to Europe. “The decline in passengers travelling from Nepal to Europe and America via Muscat has also affected the route’s profitability,” he explained.

President of Social Club Oman, Suresh Khadka. Courtesy: Facebook/Khadka

Ambassador Aryal said the embassy has been in regular contact with both airlines regarding the matter. “Business interests drive private airlines, but we have formally requested Oman Air and Salam Air to resume flights. Salam Air has assured us that it plans to restart operations next year, although no specific date has been confirmed yet,” he said. “If flights resume, it will undoubtedly ease travel difficulties and boost trade and tourism between Nepal and Oman.”

Longtime Omani resident Bal Krishna Pariyar, who hails from Nawalpur, Nepal, echoed the sentiment. “Due to the lack of direct flights, we often face long waiting hours during transit in Sharjah. A direct flight between Muscat and Kathmandu would take only four to five hours,” he said.

Arjun Sharma at his office in Muscat. Photo: Mausam Shah ‘Nepali’/THT

Similarly, Arjun Sharma and Bhimsen Giri, who run a travel and tour company in Muscat, urged the concerned authorities and airlines to prioritize the resumption of direct flights. “Restoring air connectivity would not only ease the travel burden for migrant workers but also promote tourism and strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries,” they said.

Nepalis community in Oman. Photo: Mausam Shah ‘Nepali’/THT