August 7: The Cathay Pacific Airlines will start operating direct flight between Kathmandu and Hong Kong from October 1.    
The flag carrier of Hong Kong has obtained permit from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to conduct one flight in a week between Kathmandu and Hong Kong on Saturday, informed CAAN's spokesperson Jagannath Niruala.    
According to Niraula, the airline company has already completed all the process to operate direct flights. The airlines has requested for 12 noon to 1:00 pm's slot while the CAAN is mulling to provide the slot after 8:00 pm, he shared.    
Currently, Nepal Airlines has been operating flights from Kathmandu to Hong Kong and vice versa. Hong Kong is considered an important aviation destination due to dominance of Nepali diaspora there.    
Meanwhile, a total of 26 international airlines including two Nepali companies have been operating international flights to and from the Tribhuvan International Airport at present.    
Prior to COVID-19 pandemic,  30 nations operating flights had been operating flights to and from the TIA but now only 21 nations operate flights. Currently, an average of 70 flights are being  operated to and from TIA on a daily basis.    
Nepal has inked aviation agreement with 40 countries so far. -- RSS