The dream of 40 women daily-wage domestic workers to sit in a plane for the first time and unwind for four days in Nepal appears to have been dashed, as Royal Nepal Airlines—also known as Nepal Airlines—is yet to provide an alternative arrangement for passengers after a flight, RNA202, was cancelled on November 3. The women, some of whom are senior citizens, had planned their trip meticulously, saving Rs 40,000 over two years in the hope of receiving respite from their daily routine. 

Sheeja Pillai, another member of the group, said, “After completing the immigration process, we were waiting at our gate for the boarding to start. Five minutes before boarding time, 3.45 pm, we were informed that the flight was delayed and would now depart at 9 pm. At 8.30 pm, the airline staff told us that the flight was cancelled. They [staff] promised us that they would arrange for an alternate travel option the next day [November 4]. The airline failed to do this.”