Transporters of fuel have stopped the air-fuel supply at three busy airports demanding an increase in fares. The supply of fuels has stopped at Gautam Budhha International Airport, Bhairahawa, Dhangadhi, and Nepalgunj Airports for 7 days.
According to the contract agreement between the corporation and the government of Nepal, fuel supply cannot be stopped. However, a notice has been issued stating that the air service provider cannot provide air fuel instead of taking action against the tanker traders who have stopped the supply.
The corporation's depots at Dhangadhi and Nepalgunj stated that fuel cannot be provided except for emergencies. They have written to all aviation fuel service providers to fill flights from Kathmandu instead. Domestic air flight companies have been affected by this action.
The corporation's Dhangadhi depot informed that they issued such notice to the airline service provider as they have run out of fuel.
Depot chief Ganesh Joshi said, "The strike has been going on for a week, we have very little fuel, we can only give it in case of emergency." The depot usually sells 10,000 liters of aviation fuel daily but is now unable to sell any.
The depot further informed that an attempt to bring oil from Nepalgunj in a tanker was interfered with by businessmen. In addition, the depot in Nepalgunj issued a notice informing air service providers to refuel in Kathmandu. According to Depot chief Shiv Acharya, businessmen at the depot have stopped the supply since the 19th. "Currently, there is enough fuel for 6 to 7 days, the supply has stopped,'' Acharya said, 'Air fuel transportation from Lucknow used to be carried out in this area, which has now stopped.'
According to Navvinod Pokhrel, head of Lumbini Regional Depot of the corporation, the airport, which consumes 15,000 to 20,000 liters of aviation fuel daily, has now stopped its supply.
"Until yesterday, 185,000 liters of fuel was available, it will last for a week," Pokhrel said, "The transportation is stopped due to the movement of businessmen and the lack of permits on the route from Raxaul to Lucknow."
The central office of the Oil Corporation has not given a formal response on this issue despite having agreed to increase transportation fares with businessmen.
Dipendra Karna, information officer of Buddha Air said that the oil corporation had informed airplanes flying to Dhangadhi and Nepalgunj from Kathmandu about the supply of air fuel being stopped.
Information Officer Karna said, "Corporation's Dhangadhi and Nepalgunj air fuel depots have written to airline companies to fly with fuel from Kathmandu saying that they cannot provide fuel except in urgent cases". He further added, "Due to this, it is mentioned that the tanker business that transports aviation fuel has not supplied aviation fuel since August 17."
According to him, the circular that requires air-fuel to be carried from Kathmandu to the two busiest airports in Nepal will put more financial burden on airlines and passengers. By carrying extra fuel, the number of passengers and cargo on flights from Kathmandu will be reduced and this will harm both operating expenses and fares.
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