The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has decided to increase the air fares of domestic flights by 17 percent in average.

Annapurna Post daily quoted the assistant secretary of the ministry Yagya Prasad Gautam as saying that the new fare would come into effect from February 17. However, fares paid in dollars have not been increased.

The fares of remote areas have been increased by 11.8 percent and that of other areas by 17.6 percent in average.

Gautam was quoted to have said that the fare was increased due to increase in the management of air services and increase of fuel prices in the international market. The price of the air fuel has increased by over 87 percent since 1998.

The prices of tickets would also include surcharge and insurance charges. Earlier, they were charged separately. Disable persons, certified by the Social Welfare Council, would get 50 percent discount in the fare in the new proposition.

This is the first time that air fare has been increased after 2003. The ministry and air operators had agreed to review the fares every two years.

In the meantime, Royal Nepal Airlines (RNAC), the national flag carrier, has said that it has decided to increase the allowance of pilots, the daily reported.

According to the report, the allowance of pilots flying 70 to 75 hours a month would increase by Rs 45-50 thousand.

An allowance review committee last week reported to the management board of RNAC to increase the salary and allowance of pilots. The pilots had been demanding increase in their salary and allowances and said that they would quit the jobs if their demands were not met.