NAC to purchase new aircraft for domestic flights

KATHMANDU, May 11:Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) is going to purchase medium-sized aircraft for domestic flights. The NAC is going to bring 56 to 72-seater aircraft that can fly to airports in urban areas(Trunk Route).

The Sub-Committee of NAC Management has submitted a report to proceed with the action plan for the purchase of two aircrafts.

Ramesh Poudel, the spokesperson of the NAC, said that with the aim of increasing the regional (inter-province) air connectivity of Nepal, the action plan for the purchase of aircraft capable of flying to urban area airports has been initiated.

According to him, the sub-committee of NAC management has already submitted a report to proceed with the purchase of the aircrafts.

In order to purchase such aircrafts as soon as possible, a sub-committee has been formed under the chairmanship of Yuvaraj Adhikari, the executive chairman of the NAC, in the meeting of the board of directors on May 9th.

The meeting formed a nine-member sub-committee chaired by Senior Captain Sudhir Shamsher Rai, a member of the NAC Board of Directors. The sub-committee has already started its work by will submit its report within 21 working days.

Because the aircraft operate at urban airports are not with the NAC, the NAC is currently unable to fly to the urban and commercially advantageous areas,' said Poudel.

It has been said that the aircrafts will be purchased in a transparent manner in accordance with the rules in coordination with the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.

Following the purchase of the aircraft, inter-province tourism will be promoted, according to Poudel. Poudel said that with the presence of the NAc, the market will be balanced and the air fare rates will decrease and the NAC's services will be effective and the consumer's interests will be protected.

After the purchase of two aircraft, the NAC said that it will be able to provide services to many more passengers from the urban areas of Nepal including Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bhairahawa, Pokhara, Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi and other regional flights.

The NAC currently has only three twinotter aircraft. One of these has been grounded at Tribhuvan International Airport for a long time. The other two are operating 28 flights a week.

The NAC has announced the plan to purchase stol (short takeoff and landing ) aircraft for flights to airports in remote areas.