In a groundbreaking development, Nepal‘s Himalaya Airlines is set to begin weekly flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. This marks a significant moment as Himalaya Airlines becomes the first non-Chinese airline granted permission to fly into Tibet.
According to Radio Free Asia, an airline spokesperson highlighted the unique nature of this development, stating, “No other airline has received this permission.” The inaugural flight, which is a joint venture between Nepal and China, is scheduled to take off from Kathmandu this Thursday.
This new air connection is part of a broader plan to boost tourism. It comes at a time when China is increasing its economic and political influence in Nepal, a country nestled between China and India. Recent reports, including one from the Seoul-based Asian Dignity Initiative and the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Dharamsala, India, suggest that China‘s influence in Nepal has led to stricter regulations for the approximately 20,000 Tibetans living in Nepal, many without legal status.
The report points out the growing challenges for Tibetan refugees in Nepal, mentioning, “Nepal has become a highly unsafe and insecure place for Tibetan refugees to exercise basic human rights, including freedom of religion, culture and expression.”
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About 70 years ago, Tibet, which was formerly an independent nation, was occupied by China. Since then, Chinese authorities have maintained a tight control over the region, particularly over Tibetans’ political activities and the expression of their cultural and religious identity.
Amidst these political undercurrents, Himalaya Airlines has been expanding its operations. After reducing its activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, the airline has recently added several routes to China and other Asian destinations, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Chongqing.
The new route to Lhasa is not just about connectivity. It’s also about facilitating tourism to significant religious sites like Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar in southwest Tibet. These sites are sacred to both Buddhists and Hindus. Santosh Sharma Poudel, a foreign policy analyst and co-founder of the Nepal Institute for Policy Research, mentioned that this route would offer a cheaper and faster alternative for Nepali and Indian tourists visiting these pilgrimage sites, as opposed to the current overland route.
For tourists, traveling to Lhasa and other parts of the Tibetan Autonomous Region requires a Tibet Travel Permit or a Tibet Entry Permit, in addition to a Chinese visa.
The launch of these flights is also seen as an economic opportunity under China‘s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global infrastructure development strategy connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa. Nepal joined this initiative in 2017, signing a cooperation agreement with China.
In summary, Himalaya Airlines’ new flights to Lhasa not only signify a boost in tourism and connectivity but also reflect the intricate geopolitical dynamics in the region. This initiative opens up new avenues for people-to-people relations and economic opportunities under the broader context of China’s growing influence in Asia.
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