Air Transport

Singapore and Nepal have signed an air services agreement, allowing carriers from both countries to increase passenger and cargo services.

Under the deal, the carriers are entitled to operate 28 weekly passenger services between both countries. Of these, they can operate 14 weekly services via some intermediate points and to a few beyond points in third countries.

The carriers are also entitled to operate 14 weekly cargo services. Of these, they can operate seven weekly services via any intermediate points and to any beyond points in third countries.

"The Singapore-Nepal aviation market has experienced strong traffic growth over the past few years. The bilateral air services agreementcomes at an opportune time as it serves to further develop air transport between both countries and pave the way for traffic growth ahead," the countries say in a joint statement.

SilkAir, Singapore Airlines' (SIA) regional carrier, operates six weekly passenger services between Singapore and Nepal's capital Kathmandu. It is the only airline to offer direct services between the two countries.