Domestic air passenger traffic soared in the first half of this year as an airfare war made flying cheaper, and a growing middle class took to the air in greater numbers.

According to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), packed domestic flights carried 1.31 million travellers in the first six months of 2018, notching a double-digit growth of 20.36 percent.

The figure includes 25,421 passengers flown by helicopters and single-engine aircraft. Flight movement increased 6.17 percent to 46,480 flights.

Industry insiders said that domestic carriers were struggling to remain profitable, despite filling nearly 90 percent of their seats and benefiting from the double-digit passenger growth. Domestic airlines carried 223,178 passengers more passengers in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year.

“The key reason for passenger growth is airfare,” said Ghanshyam Acharya, spokesperson for the Airline Operators Association of Nepal. Competition among domestic airlines has become fierce after the entry of Shree Airlines with a fleet of jet planes last year.

“Airfares are obviously low. Today, a traveller can fly from Kathmandu to Biratnagar for just Rs2,700, while overland travel would cost Rs1,700 to Rs1,800,” said Acharya. He added that ticket prices fluctuated with the season. “A month from now, airlines will be charging full fare due to festive demand.”

The growth in passenger traffic has led to severe congestion at Kathmandu’s airport. According to Raj Kumar Chettri, domestic airlines have starting operating night flights too due to the overcrowding.

“From now on, at least 20 domestic flights will be operated at nighttime,” he said. Airports in Biratnagar, Nepalgunj and Bhairahawa are equipped with lighting system for nighttime operations, and Bhadrapur airport is expected to be upgraded soon.

Despite the growth in passenger numbers, all airlines except Yeti Airlines suffered negative passenger growth. Leading carrier Buddha Air also recorded negative growth, probably for the first time. The carrier flew 606,243 passengers in the first six months of 2018.

Buddha’s closest rival, Yeti Airlines, recorded a staggering 29.98 percent growth in passenger numbers. Start-up carrier Shree Airlines flew 180,264 passengers in the first half of this year. The carrier, which began operations in August 2017, has obtained approval to add three Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft to its fleet.

Nepal Airlines continues to perform poorly in the domestic sector despite getting six new aircraft. The state-owned carrier flew 40,290 passengers in the first six months of 2018, down 2.43 percent. Simrik Airlines and Sita Air recorded the sharpest drop in passenger numbers, according to the statistics.