Nepal Airlines Plans Fleet Expansion with Six New Aircraft for Domestic and International Routes

Kathmandu. Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) is preparing to expand its domestic and international flight services. The corporation has initiated the process to add six new aircraft to enhance its domestic and international flight operations.

NAC has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation to purchase two Twin Otters, two ATR-72s, and two narrow-body aircraft, or alternatively, to lease them immediately if outright purchase is not feasible.

Specifically, to increase service in remote and high-altitude areas, the corporation has proposed a budget of approximately two and a half billion rupees to purchase two 19-seater Canadian 'Twin Otter DHC-6' aircraft.

Furthermore, there is a plan to acquire two 72-seater ATR-72 series aircraft to re-establish its presence on trunk routes such as Biratnagar, Bhadrapur, and Dhangadhi. NAC estimates the cost for purchasing these aircraft to be five and a half billion rupees.

For the ATR aircraft, an alternative proposal suggests leasing them to commence services immediately if purchasing is not possible. According to NAC's Executive Director, Amritman Shrestha, due to the current shortage of aircraft, flights are not being operated to several domestic destinations previously served.

Executive Director Shrestha told Ratopati that the proposal to purchase or lease aircraft was made because flights are currently suspended in previously served locations. He stated, 'We do not have enough aircraft for domestic flights. It has become essential to propose the purchase of new aircraft to connect mountainous and Himalayan districts with air transport access and to compete on trunk routes.'

NAC is preparing to include this plan in the government's policy and program for the upcoming fiscal year 2083-84. Currently, two of the three Twin Otters owned by the corporation are operating flights to remote areas including Rukum, Jumla, Surkhet, Taplejung, and Phaplu.

NAC also plans to spend 400 million rupees to repair and bring back into operation one Twin Otter that has been grounded at Tribhuvan Airport since 2013.

Given the strong presence of private sector airlines Buddha and Yeti Airlines in domestic operations, NAC aims to increase its market share by bringing in ATR-72 aircraft of a similar standard.

NAC is confident that adding two narrow-body aircraft will greatly assist in expanding flight frequency and destinations for international operations as well.