Minister Kirati says there's conspiracy to prevent NAC from purchasing aircraft

KATHMANDU, June 13:Sudan Kiranti, Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, has said that there is a conspiracy to prevent the addition of new aircraft to Nepal Airlines Corporation. He stated that if the new aircraft is not purchased, the ministry will be abolished.

After the arrival of a Nepal Airlines Corporation flight from Malaysia at Gautam Buddha International Airport Bhairahawa on Tuesday morning, Minister Kiranti stated at a news conference held at the airport that there is a conspiracy to prevent the addition of new aircraft.

He did not reveal who had conspired not to allow the addition of the corporation's planes. But Minister Kiranti hinted that there is a conspiracy to prevent the corporation from adding new aircraft in the interests of private airline companies.

"Aircraft must be purchased, or the ministry will be abolished," Minister Kiranti stated. "There are many conspiracies to prevent the purchase," Minister Kiranti stated, "but according to the law, it must be purchased transparently so that there is no stain." Minister Kiranti stated that because private company charter rates are very high, the corporation should increase planes and provide services at a lower cost. He stated that the company should own at least 50 aircraft, large and small.

He stated that the government is attempting to obtain air route approval from India and promised that regular flights will begin from Gautam Buddha International Airport soon. Minister Kirati stated that efforts are also being made to establish direct aviation routes to Thailand, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka, all of which have a Buddhist majority.

Minister Kiranti also directed that publicity and marketing be increased tenfold in order for the airport to operate at full capacity on a regular basis. "There is no permission to dry existing planes in the sun," he explained.