SilkAir to Fly to Nepal from October 30

[milehighj]

SilkAir to Fly to Nepal from October 30

Kathmandu, October 14

SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, is all set to operate three flights a week from October 30 direct on Singapore-Kathmandu route on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The flights depart at 9.10 am from Singapore and arrive at 12.05 pm in Kathmandu, while flights from Kathmandu will depart at 13.05 pm and arrive Singapore at 20.15 pm, states a press release.

http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/ful...eDate=20071014

[SQflyergirl]

I remember when SQ used to go into there - with 310's IIRC. A bit vague now. Maybe I'm getting old

[jjpb3]

Bhutan, I want an SQ-affiliated route to Bhutan!

My risk aversion is making me stay away from Nepal in my travel planning. Media reports of insurgencies ring my alarm bells. Am I being too paranoid?

[yvrcnx]

Bhutan, I want an SQ-affiliated route to Bhutan!

My risk aversion is making me stay away from Nepal in my travel planning. Media reports of insurgencies ring my alarm bells. Am I being too paranoid?

I am with you on Buthan. I am planning a trip to this beautiful country for next year. So far the only airline flying into Buthan seems to be Druk Air with A 320's.
I am a little bit nervous as I have heard that the approach into Paro is quite dramatic.
Check out especially the 2nd video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmNMe...ight%20drukair

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c05T0...ight%20drukair

I thought that Nepal was quite safe, I too am interested to hear if anyone knows how safe or not safe it is to go there.

[SuperJonJon]

I thought that Nepal was quite safe, I too am interested to hear if anyone knows how safe or not safe it is to go there.

My mum was in Kathmandu for 2 months (Jul - Aug 07) and she did not encounter any issues, so I guess it was pretty safe.

[MovieMan]

I am a little bit nervous as I have heard that the approach into Paro is quite dramatic.
Check out especially the 2nd video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmNMe...ight%20drukair

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c05T0...ight%20drukair

Wow! That is one scary landing!

[yvrcnx]

Wow! That is one scary landing!

And that is in nice weather. Can you imagine how it would be in rain, storm, winter?
I would just hope for a nice day like that when I fly in, no fog, no wind and no rain or snow.

[huaiwei]

My mum was in Kathmandu for 2 months (Jul - Aug 07) and she did not encounter any issues, so I guess it was pretty safe.

Indeed. I do not have first hand accounts, but it is known that the conflicts there tend to avoid foreigners. The Maosits are quite careful not to scare tourists - and their much needed cash - away from their economy!

Anyway I recon the Gurkhas in Singapore will rejoice in finally being able to return home in style once again.

[The High Flyer]

My colleague visited Nepal a few months back, at the height of the insurgency. Apparently tourists were left alone. On her way to the airport, there were street protests and all, but they let the tour coaches pass.

Unfortunately, SIA's big jets -- the smallest being the B772 -- won't be able to land in Paro.

[jjpb3]

Well then, I'll be snapping pictures of the Himalayas in 2008, if all goes well. (Thanks to everyone for the reassurances. )

[KeithMEL]

Well then, I'll be snapping pictures of the Himalayas in 2008, if all goes well. (Thanks to everyone for the reassurances. )

Scaling Mt Everest?

[zvezda]

SIA's big jets -- the smallest being the B772 -- won't be able to land in Paro.

How about the A330-300s scheduled for delivery starting in 2009?

[nykelaz]

How about the A330-300s scheduled for delivery starting in 2009?

Don't think it will be possible to fly to Paro too. IMHO, having SQ to serve Paro or Nepal with such big planes would not be commerically viable anyway.

[huaiwei]

Don't think it will be possible to fly to Paro too. IMHO, having SQ to serve Paro or Nepal with such big planes would not be commerically viable anyway.

So only the A310s could land there back then? Was the route canned because of aircraft issues, performance, or both?

[nykelaz]

So only the A310s could land there back then? Was the route canned because of aircraft issues, performance, or both?

Not sure about why it was cancelled though. Maybe some experts here would like to elucidate?