D
BUD
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No. 20 September 2010
w w w . b u d d h a a i r . c o m
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fter 13 successful years in domestic aviation, Budhha Air has formally spread its wings to international skies with its first commercial flight to Paro. Buddha Air is the first international airline to operate flights to Bhutan. The Druk Kingdom permitted Buddha Air to operate flights to and from Paro as part of its bid to attract more international tourists. About 20 percent of the total tourists fly to Bhutan from Kathmandu. The Bhutanese government plans to
Buddha spreads wings to Int'l skies attract some 100 thousand air passengers in 2012 alone and gradually increase the number. “We hope that the international flights will contribute to our national economy,” said Birendra Bahadur Basnet, the Managing Director of Budhha Air at a press conference held just ahead of the launching of
the first commercial flight to Bhutan on August 23, 2010. The airline has begun with four flights a week with 18-seater Beechcraft 1900D aircrafts. “We will adjust our flight frequency as per the need after the renewal of existing Air Service Agreement (ASA) between the two countries,” Basnet added. contd. on page 2
I n t e r n a t i o n a l
f l i g h t
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He further added that the airline plans to extend services to Bagdogra of India from Paro. “We will also start flights to Indian cities like Kolkata, Patna, Lucknow and Varanasi within this year,” he explained. Basnet appreciated the efforts of Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Sarad Singh Bhandari for taking initiatives to let the private airline sectors operate cross-border flights. The new flights initiated by Buddha Air will attract more tourists to Nepal Managing Director of Buddha Air Mr. Birendra Bahadur Basnet handing over a souvenir from Nepal to Mr. Lyonpo Nandalal Rai, Ministry of Information & and help the government to turn Visit Communications, Royal Government of Bhutan. Nepal 2011 into a grand success. is still not a very significant move in terms of Buddha Air is also poised to launch flights from Nepal to seven Indian cities. In the risk factors. The airline will make another stride first phase we will have launched flights from forward in 2011 by importing yet another ATR Nepal’s major cities including capital Kathmandu 72. Buddha Air is also very proud of the fact that to four destinations including Lucknow, Kolkatta, the ATR Company leased out an ATR 72 to the and Patna, of India by 2010. In the second phase we will operate flights airline. It is due mainly to the institutional image to Indian cities of Banaras, Guwahati, Dehradun of Buddha Air and the vision of its management and Delhi by the end of 2011. Commercial to take the airline business on the right track. It flights to Indian cities are likely to begin from must be recalled that Nepali airlines had already Nov 15, 2010. The international flights are sure lost their credibility with the ATR Company. to bring in more tourists to Nepal and greatly But Buddha Air’s track record and vision were contribute to turn the Visit Nepal 2011 into a enough to win the confidence of the aircraft manufacturer, despite its bad experiences in grand success. The operation of these flights will be a great Nepal. leap forward made by Buddha Air, though it
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BUDDHA
Yatra
September-November
fare structure sector
Y' Class
KTM-PBH
Foreigner
PBH-KTM
Y' Class
KTM-PBH
Nepali
PBH-KTM
Y' Class
KTM-PBH
Bhutanese/Indian
PBH-KTM
A' Class
KTM-PBH
Nepali
PBH-KTM
A' Class
KTM-PBH
Bhutanese/Indian
PBH-KTM
B' Class
KTM-PBH
Nepali
PBH-KTM
B' Class
KTM-PBH
Bhutanese/Indian
PBH-KTM
currency
us$
nrs.
nu./ ic
nrs.
nu./ ic
nrs.
nu./ ic
23-31 august 2010
sep-nov / Mar-May
Dec-feb / Jun-august
133
34
167
190
34
224
152
34
186
133
32
165
190
32
222
152
32
184
10100
1976
12076
14440
1976
16416
11550
1976
13526
10100
2432
12532
14440
2432
16872
11550
2432
13982
6310
1615
7925
9025
1615
10640
7220
1615
8835
6310
1520
7830
9025
1520
10545
7220
1520
8740
5300
1976
7276
7600
1976
9576
6100
1976
8076
5300
2432
7732
7600
2432
10032
6100
2432
8532
3300
1615
4915
4750
1615
6365
3800
1615
5415
3300
1520
4820
4750
1520
6270
3800
1520
5320
3400
1976
5376
3400
1976
5376
3400
1976
5376
3400
2432
5832
3400
2432
5832
3400
2432
5832
2125
1615
3740
2125
1615
3740
2125
1615
3740
2125
1520
3645
2125
1520
3645
2125
1520
3645
r o y a l
c l ub
Success of Royal Club I
n September 2002, Buddha air launched Frequent Flyer Facts and Figure: its frequent flyer program, the Royal Club, which rewards passengers loyal to Started on : 01 Sep 2002 Buddha Air with mileage points every time Total Number of Frequent Flyers : 77,000 they fly. When accumulated, these points can be redeemed for free tickets, holiday Total number of Male Frequent Flyers : 47,954 packages or shopping. Total Number of Female Frequent Flyers : 29,046 We are the first to introduce the frequent flyer program in the country and Enrollment of Frequent Flyer per month : 655 we believe the more members fly, the more Total Amount of Free Tickets issued : 12,30,22,070 rewards they should enjoy. So we launched the Platinum Memberships Program in Total Amount of Gift Voucher issued : 49,75,000 2005. Average Awards claimed per month : 23 This special group receives more benefits than the ordinary members do. Most preferred sector based on awards claimed : Ktm-Biratnagar We are proud to have 77,000 Royal Club gold card members and 4,250 Platinum members. Without their patronage, the Royal Club would We have also introduced the provision of lucky draw not have been the largest frequent flyer program in the in each KTM-Biratnagar-KTM flight. Passengers who win country. The above-mentioned figure clearly indicates that the lucky draw are awarded one way ticket from either our customers regard the frequent flyer program very Kathmandu to Biratnagar or Biratnagar to Kathmandu. highly. Today, Royal Club –Frequent flyer program is widely regarded as the best loyalty program in Nepal’s aviation sector. We are constantly adding more rewards to the Royal Club members so that they could fly not only with the best and most trusted airline in Nepal but also enjoy the best benefits. So, in August 2007 we launched Part miles+ Part cash ticket schemes for our valued Royal Club members. The mile+cash program offers more flexibility in payment by allowing members to redeem their reward by paying cash in part. In 2010, taking the feedbacks of our valued flyers, we amended the existing provision related to Platinum membership. As per the new provision, the members whose platinum status has already expired can now renew their membership if they have minimum 7000 mileage points in their current account. Buddha Air took this decision to serve our valued flyers better.
Yatra Lucky Winners for Mountain Flight 1. Prakash Manandhar 2. Sangita Tamang 3. Madhav Gautam
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BUDDHA
Yatra
September-November
C o r p o r a t e S o cia l R e s p o n sibi l i t y
Conscious of its CSR aair.com/online
dh http://www.bud
B
uddha Air has been very concerned about its corporate social responsibility (CSR) for the last few years. An approach for CSR that is becoming more widely accepted is community-based development approach in which corporations work with local communities to better themselves. We believe that corporate houses must work with local communities to uplift the very downtrodden local populace. And we think CSR is more than just donations and sponsorships and make the people dependent on donations; in fact it is about bringing real change in the lives of the people. Nepal is an agrarian country where more than 70 percent of the population are dependent on subsistence farming. Similarly, more than 65 percent people are below poverty line and are BUDDHA
Yatra
September-November
deprived of basic health service and education. Buddha Air has been involved in uplifting the life standards of these people for the last five years. The corporate house launched an agricultural program in Tankisinwari Village Development Committee. We implemented the concept of providing appropriate technology transfer to the existing crops as well as community banking for commercial crops. The results were encouraging. We plan to set up a rural bank, which will focus on product banking and be involved in supporting each step of the required extension programs. We will empower the local farmers to get maximum benefits of their products. In its new program, Buddha Air has decided to donate over Rs 1.5 million to Dangihat VDC of Morang district every year for
health and education from fiscal year 2010/2011. On April 24, a 40-member medical team, hired by Buddha air, conducted a oneday health camp in the VDC and distributed medicines. Some 1,200 locals benefitted from the health camp, which cost over Rs. five hundred thousand. Managing Director of Buddha Air Birendra Bahadur Basnet handed over a check for Rs 1.5 million to the youth leaders of Dangihat Construction Committee last month. The committee will invest the money in the sector of education, health, transport and conservation of forest. The airline appreciated the work of the educated local youths for the development of their village. They have taken initiatives to create jobs in the village and prevent the youths from going abroad for employment.s
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R o y a l
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Royal Club Mileage Chart Effective from 17 September 2008
S.N.
SECTOR
1
GOLD
PLATINUM
AWARDS
NORMAL
APEX
B. FARE
NORMAL
APEX
B FARE
KTM-SIF
109
71
24
121
79
26
960
2
KTM-BHR
133
87
29
147
96
32
1160
3
KTM-JKR
161
105
35
177
116
39
1400
4
KTM-PKR
173
113
38
190
124
41
1500
5
KTM-BWA
230
150
50
253
165
55
2000
6
KTM-BIR
276
180
60
305
199
66
2400
7
KTM-BDP
288
188
63
316
206
69
2500
8
KTM-KEP
426
278
93
468
305
102
3700
9
KTM-MTN
460
300
100
506
330
110
4000
10
KTM-DHI
690
450
150
759
495
165
6000
gift VOUCHER Awards Chart Required Mileage Points for Gold Member
Required Mileage Points for Platinum Member
Amount in Rs.
1250 1875 3125 5000
1110 1665 2775 4445
1,000 1,500 2,500 4,000
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
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BUDDHA
Yatra
September-November
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misc e l l a n e o us
Kolkata Fair 2010 Kalkata. So, the fair was an opportunity for the airline to highlight its operations. The airline officials gave publicity to Buddha Air flight linking Kathmandu and Kolkata. Positive feedback from partner organizations further encouraged us to launch the flights as soon as possible. They congratulated us for planning to operate flights linking the two cities across the border.
Buddha Air showed its presence in the mega Travel & Trade Fair held in the Indian city of Kolkata from Jul 31 to Aug 2, 2010. The travel trade fair is the biggest-ever held in India. Senior Marketing Manager of Buddha Air Mr. Rupesh Joshi and Marketing Officer Mr. Bibash Thapa participated in the fair. Buddha Air is soon launching direct commercial flights from Kathmandu to
R
am and Hari joined a wholesale company after graduation. Both worked very hard. After several years, the boss promoted Hari to the post of sales executive,while Ram remained a sales representative . Ram could not take it anymore.He tendered his resignation complaining that the boss did not value hard working staff, and promoted only those who flattered him.
to ask and returned to inform the boss that it cost $12 per kg.
The boss also asked Hari to do the same. Hari went to the market and returned to inform the boss that only one person was selling water melon; it cost $12 per kg, $100 for 10 kg and that he had an inventory of 340 melons. On the table were 58 melons and bought from the South two days ago, weighed about 15 kg and they were fresh and red.
Learn and Earn
The boss knew that Ram worked very hard for years but there was something wrong with him. He wanted to make Ram realize the difference between him and Hari. So the boss asked Ram to do the following.
n AG Sherpa
Will you find out how many persons are selling water melons in the market? Ram went to the market, returned and told the boss that there was only one person selling water melons. The boss asked how much per kg? Ram went back to the market again
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After listening to Hari, Ram realized the real difference between himself and Hari. He decided not to resign but to learn from Hari.
Dear friends, a more successful person is more observant; He thinks more and understands things in depth. Similarly, a more successful person sees several years ahead, while others see only tomorrow. The difference between a year and a day is 365 times more. It teaches us how to win the game. Think, how thoughtful you really are. BUDDHA
Yatra
September-November
e-mail: yatra@buddhaair.com
Punctual flight
HA
BUD
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l e t t e r
No. 18 January 2010
w w w . b u d d h a a i r . c o m
B
uddha Air came into service in 1997 with just two Beech aircrafts, and evolved into a leading airline of the country in just a decade. It is a remarkable feat achieved in the Nepalese private sector. With its committed management and skilled manpower, the airline has made a giant leap. It is one of the few success stories in the country’s private sector. Now the airline has added three 48seater France-built ATRs to its fleet. With the addition of these ATRs, the airline now has seven airplanes including four Beechcrafts. On Oct. 11, Buddha Air celebrated its 12th anniversary at Hotel Raddision. All the Buddha Air employees enthusiastically participated in the function. On the occasion, Buddha Air chairman Surendra Bahadur Basnet handed over letters of appreciation and plaques to 25 employees, who had completed 10 years of service at the airline, while other participants cheered and clapped. He also handed over prizes to the winners of games organized just ahead of the anniversary celebration. The operation department had won the gold medal in basketball and football, and the Airport marketing had won the gold medal in volleyball. Likewise Captain AG Sherpa bagged
Celebrating 12th Anniversary the gold medal in bowling and Khagendra Bahadur Basnet of the Human Resources Department was the highest scorer. Speaking at the function, chairman Basnet appreciated the roles played by the employees in taking the airline to a new high. He especially lauded
the roles of the operation department, which is successfully operating new airplanes – ATRs. He also took pride in the fact that Buddha Air is the only airline in Nepal to receive contd on page 3
1
Start flights from remote areas Buddha Air should start flights from rural areas like Karnali region n Dala Rawal Humla Buddha Air is providing good services to the people. It should expand its services to remote zones as well. n Abhiksek Suwal Kathmandu Please begin flights from Surkhet soon n Sanjaya Kumar Chaudhary, SOS Children Village, Bhaktapur
Why don't you start flights from Kathmandu to remote regions like Dipayal, Surkhet, and Tulsipur? You can begin with few flights per week. n Chandra Narayan Yadav Saptari Yatra: We have so far been unable to operate flights to these areas due to lack of facilities in the airports. Only singleengine plane can be operated from such airports. Other airlines with such planes are operating flights from there. We will also begin our operations once the runways are asphalted.
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Buddha Air is our first choice and the service is also good. My suggestion is you have to be very punctual. n Bimala G.C. Tinkune Kathmandu Buddha Air is one of the best airlines I have ever known. Its services are good. But sometimes flights are delayed and we don’t get to our destinations in time. n Samjhana Ghimre The airline is better than any other airlines in Nepal. But when it comes to punctuality, you need improvement. n Kimu Aryal Kathmandu In comparision to other airlines, Buddha Air has been providing bettter services. We will be happy if you maintain punctuality. I think this will satisfy passengers. I am eagerly awaiting Buddha Air's international flights to India and Bhutan and finally to Europe and America. Best of Luck.Keep it up. n Shanta Khadka Baluwatar, Kathmandu Yatra: We are trying our best to be punctual. Due to air traffic at the airport and bad weather, flights are sometimes delayed. We are sorry for the delay.
You may stop serving junks like Pepsi and Coke. n Hari Jha Mahottari I would like to suggest that you provide light snacks and some glasses of beer during flights. Achyut Pokharel Biratnagar Yatra: We have started serving drinks and peanuts during flights
Congratulation!
It is good to know that Buddha is making another stride in history by launching international flights. There were so many domestic airlines in the past, but virtually none survived. As a passenger I really appreciate the vision of the management of the Budda Air. n Binaya Kshetri Biratnagar Congratulation to Buddha Air. You have been providing good services to the passengers. And it is good to know that you are beginning international flights. Best of luck. n Binaya Jha Kathmandu
Improve service
The services are good. But the passengers should be served with light snacks. n T. Basnet Teku, Kathmandu
Buddha Air has its own image in the airline sector. But for the past two years, I have seen that the airline is comfortable with its image rather than paying attention to the interests of the passengers. So you need to increase your facilities and pay attentions to the needs of passengers.
If possible, please provide snacks during long flights. n Rosan Raj Rajbhandhari Bal Kumari, Lalitpur Please try to provide some snacks like peanuts, popcorns etc.
Yatra: We regard our passengers very highly. We may have shortcomings, but we will go on improving them. And we would like to assure you that we will offer more facilities in the coming days.
Provide snacks
BUDDHA
Yatra
September-November