In an attempt to reduce its financial constraints, Royal Nepal Airlines has decided not to renew the contracts of 25 cabin attendants. The national flag carrier needs a total of 101 airhostesses at most for its two 757 Boeings and three operating Twin Otters; 25, it said, were in excess.

RNAC is also to start thrice-a-week Kathmandu-Dubai-Kathmandu flights from 17 June. The flights will leave Kathmandu at 10AM Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and return at 7.50 AM the following day. The airlines expects to cash on the thousands of Nepalis going to the Persian Gulf countries for employment, and the growing popularity of Dubai as a place to catch connecting flights to Europe.