Kathmandu, Oct. 14: Festivals mainly Dashain and Tihar are opportunities for promoting the business of the aviation service providers. When private airlines companies are busy in rendering services this Dashain, the service by the Nepal Airlines Company (NAC) is not encouraging.

The service of the national flag carrier is significantly slowed down during this Dashain.

On one hand, the NAC lacks a required number of aircraft, the available aircraft are grounded in the absence of proper handling on the other. On contrary, the private service providers have seen a business boom at present.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, while assuming office at the Singha Durbar on October 8, announced to strengthen the organisation and make its service delivery effective.

Now, over 70 percent seats of private airlines are booked for Dashain. It is not easy for aspiring travelers to get a ticket in one request. They have to seek favour from those in power to secure the seat, but at the same time, NAC employees are free of office work.

The NAC has just two 18-seaters which need maintenance time and again. Others including wide-body aircraft are grounded. The NAC's available service is mainly for ministers, lawmakers, police officers and those in power, common people have no access to it, complained one commoner.

The commoner's statement is matched with the NAC's one senior officer who admits that its needs intervention from the higher to get the NAC ticket mainly during Dashain.

Despite the high demand for domestic services during festivals, the market could not be extended as per the demand, it is said.