NAC to buy two aircraft for domestic flights

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

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

Ramesh Poudel, the spokesperson for 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 corporation management has already submitted a report to proceed with the purchase of the aircraft.

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

The meeting formed a nine-member sub-committee chaired by Senior Captain Sudhir Shamsher Rai. The said sub-committee has already started its work with the goal of submitting a report within 21 days.

“Due to the fact that there are no aircraft operating at airports in urban areas, the corporation has not been able to fly to areas that are advantageous from an urban and commercial point of view,” said Poudel.

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

According to Spokesperson Poudel, international tourism will be promoted after the purchase of the ship. Poudel said that with the presence of the corporation, the market will be balanced, the air fare rates will decrease and the corporation’s services will be effective and the consumer’s interests will be protected.

After purchasing two aircraft, NAC will provide service to more passengers from the urban areas including Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bhairahawa, Pokhara, Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi and other regional flights.

The corporation currently has only three twin-otter planes. One of these has been grounded at Tribhuvan International Airport for a long time. The other two are operating 28 flights a week.

The corporation has also announced the plan to purchase STOL (short take off and landing) aircraft for flights to airports in remote areas.

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