Arkefly opens route to Kathmandu (Nepal)

[sn26567]

Arkefly, the Dutch arm of TUI, has begun weekly non-stop flights from Amsterdam (AMS) to Kathmandu (KTM) in Nepal.

These are apparently the first non-stop scheduled services between Europe and Nepal for five years since Royal Nepal Airlines abandoned various routes to Europe.

Source: anna.aero

[fretn]

it's being done by a 737-800 with a stop in dubai apparently

[sdbelgium]

I thought the stop was in KWI?

Code: Select all

OR  463  AMS 2320  KTM 1545 +1  738  7
OR  464  KTM 1700  AMS 0225 +1  738  7

[cnc]

so they gave one the 738's a new interior i assume?

[sdbelgium]

According to the schedules in the Arkefly system, the stop will be in OBBI/BAH. First flight to take off this evening at 23.45 LT.

Code: Select all

18 OR 463  EHAM 2145     OBBI 0445 +1  738  PH-TFB
19 OR 463  OBBI 0615     VNKT 1045     738  PH-TFB
19 OR 464  VNKT 1200     OBBI 1750     738  PH-TFB
19 OR 464  OBBI 1910     EHAM 1910     738  PH-TFB

All times in this schedule are UTC

so they gave one the 738's a new interior i assume?

PH-TFB now features a W84Y96 configurated interior, so yes. There are 125 pax booked AMS-KTM, but only 012 pax booked KTM-AMS. Which seems logical as this is the first flight... and there are no pax to return.

[Maho Bay]

I've flown Arke to Banjul on a B738 and I just cannot understand they've decided to fly all the way to Nepal with a narrowbody. Flying "only" 6 hours in a fully booked 738 is already too much in my opinion with only 1 aisle to stretch your legs (considering Arke's limited legroom, even in comfort class), limited number of toilets,...

However, if the route becomes popular they might use a 767 in the future.

[cnc]

PH-TFB now features a W84Y96 configurated interior, so yes. There are 125 pax booked AMS-KTM, but only 012 pax booked KTM-AMS. Which seems logical as this is the first flight... and there are no pax to return.

all their 738's have that config so they didn't change it. Must be fun to fly with narrowbody in charter config to such far destinations

[76-er]

Aren't they supposed to start MBA service as well, with a techstop somewhere in Egypt?

From what I can remember, TFL was also planning to use the 738 on that route.