The government has decided to give license to Yeti Airlines, a domestic airline, to fly on international routes. The Yati Airlines received permission at time when international airlines are showing rising interest to connect Nepal with direct flights.

A report quoted an official at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) as saying that Yati Airlines was permitted for international flight after a thorough study over its technical soundness, professionalism, and financial status.

The government has given the green light to the airline to run flights from Kathmandu to five destinations -- Bangkok, Seoul, Lhasa, Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, and Paro in Bhutan.

The Ministry had earlier invited applications from domestic airlines having completed continued and successful operation for five years to operate international flights in accordance with the provision of new Aviation policy. Yeti Airlines was the only one to apply for the international airline's license.

Yeti Airlines has a fleet of four Jet Stream-41 turboprop planes and five Twin Otters, the largest fleet among private domestic airlines.

With this permission, Yeti Airlines has become the fifth airline in the country to get a nod to operate international flights. Necon Air, Air Nepal International and Cosmic Air operated international flights, only to close down within a short period. Another airline, Shangri-La Airlines even failed to start flights within its stipulated timeframe.