Himalaya Airlines says it did not overcharge Indian passengers

Himalaya Airlines, which has been conducting charter flights to evacuate foreign nationals, has stated that the airfares for Indian passengers flying to Saudi Arabia were managed in a transparent and competitive manner.

After various reports were published about Himalaya Airlines charging exorbitant airfares and some agencies adding extra fees from Indian nationals flying to Saudi Arabia, the airline company has issued a statement refuting the allegations.

The government had given permission to Nepal Airlines Corporation to conduct seven flights and Himalaya Airlines to conduct three flights to evacuate Indian nationals who were stuck in Nepal to Saudi Arabia. Himalaya Airlines has mentioned that it has been brought to its notice that several online media houses have published news about the company overcharging the passengers.

Himalaya Airlines has clarified that after it received permission from the government to conduct charter flights to evacuate Indian nationals to Saudi Arabia the company it utilised the internationally accepted Global Distribution System to facilitate the passengers during ticket-bookings. It has also stated that to make it easy for passengers to book tickets it appointed travel agencies that are affiliated to the International Air Transport Association for the purpose.

The airline company has stated that since the Global Distribution System was used for ticket-bookings there is no chance of any passenger being charged exorbitant fees. However, Himalaya Airlines has mentioned that since the charter flights have to return empty from the destination the ticket prices will be higher than during normal flights as per the international practice.

The airline has also mentioned that if a complaint is filed with necessary proof that any travel agency has charged more than the designated airfare then it will submit the details of the travel agency to the concerned authority so that necessary action can be taken against the agency.