The national carrier of Nepal has entered a new era with the launch of online ticketing services.

China’s Xinhua news agency reported Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) as saying that the new service commenced on Sunday 16 July 2017 and will initially be offered for a limited time only.

“Those willing to the travel on NAC planes can book tickets by using their foreign exchange-based international travel cards from anywhere in the world,” the national carrier was reported saying. It added that it is working plans to offer the service in Nepal’s domestic currency, the rupee.

NAC spokesperson, Rabindra Shrestha, told Xinhua that the online booking system would help reduce the cost of tickets for travellers as it would negate the need to pay commission to third parties. Previously, NAC outsourced all its ticketing operations.

“It will be beneficial for foreign tourists visiting Nepal,” Shrestha added.

NAC currently flies to eight international destinations from its based at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport: Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Dubai, Doha, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.

It is also in the process of expanding and modernising its fleet; having recently welcomed two new Airbus A320 aircraft, NAC is now planning to take delivery of its first long-haul aircraft – two Airbus A330s – in early 2018.