Joint venture airline starts Dammam flight

Himalaya Airlines, a Nepal-China joint venture (JV) airline, started its inaugural flight from Kathmandu to the city of Dammam in Saudi Arabia on Friday night, the airline said yesterday.The maiden flight H9 559, bound for Dammam, departed from Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu at 22:30 local time on Friday, according to the airline.The company said in a statement that it is the first and only Nepali airline to operate direct flights between both cities meeting the strong demand from air travellers, especially Nepali migrant workers. The airline will be operating a daily flight on this route.An airline official said, “We are very happy to be the first and only airline to connect Dammam with Kathmandu directly. With this new route, Himalaya Airlines would be able to carter over 500,000 Nepalis staying in Saudi Arabia, enabling many of them to rejoice with their families during this festival season.”Nepal is celebrating the two biggest festivals - Dashain and Tihar in September and October when millions of Nepalis travel back to their home towns for celebration.