The Thai private operator, Phuket Air, is to launch a Bangkok-Kathmandu-Dubai turnaround from 9 March. The airline will use 757s flown by Nepali pilots, also, for its thrice-weekly flights. Phuket has fifth-freedom rights to pick up Nepali passengers on the Kathmandu-Dubai sector and will compete directly with, Royal Nepal Airlines, the only other airline flying that route.