Nepal orders airlines to hold fares steady after deadly floods

Nepal's Civil Aviation Authority (CAAN) has told the country's airlines to keep ticket prices from rising, even though demand for flights has jumped following devastating floods. The regulator said fares must stay below the maximum permitted tariffs, and that carriers must ensure enough seats are available for travelers.

The flooding, which originated in Tibet, has cut off or made unsafe several road links between Kathmandu and other parts of the country. With ground transport disrupted, flying has become a more critical option for people trying to move between regions.

The directive applies to seven carriers: Nepal Airlines, Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, Shree Airlines, Summit Air, Tara Air and Sita Air. CAAN's order appears aimed at preventing price gouging at a moment when many travelers have few alternatives to flying.

No details were given on penalties for noncompliance, or on how long the fare cap will stay in effect. The available information also did not fully specify the scale of the flooding's impact on road infrastructure, including which specific routes remain closed.

The situation shows how quickly transport demand can shift during a natural disaster, adding pressure on aviation regulators to weigh market forces against public need. How long the elevated demand will last, or when the roads will reopen, is not yet clear.