Nepal Airlines to acquire three Twin Otters - Minister

Employees protest and call for sacking of Nepal Airlines CEO

A group of workers have prevented the CEO of Nepal Airlines (RA, Kathmandu) from accessing company headquarters is protest at what they say is the mismanagement of the state-owned airline.

Multiple Kathmandu-based outlets are reporting on the incident earlier this month in which union-affiliated employees barred the entry of CEO Yuvraj Adhikari to the airline's offices and erected protest banners. The protestors listed several alleged operational and management failures that have or are occurring under Adhikari's watch. Notably, the recent Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) decision to open up groundhandling rights at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan Airport has inflamed industrial relations. Nepal Airlines has long enjoyed monopoly groundhandling rights at the gateway airport and relied on it for revenue.

In addition, the group accuses Adhikari of neglecting to ensure adequate maintenance has been carried out on some aircraft, arbitrarily appointing people to key roles, and neglecting and demoralising the permanent workforce. Airline Corporation Employees Union President Maan Bahadur Kunwar called for Adhikari to stand down, citing several issues, including out-of-service aircraft, specifically five parked Chinese manufactured aircraft...

Nepal Airlines tenders for appraisal of mothballed B757

Nepal Airlines' decision to buy three STOL types questioned

Nepal Airlines issues RFP for three STOL aircraft

Nepal Airlines (RA, Kathmandu) has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for three short take-off and landing (STOL) aircraft. The RFP, formally titled NAC-PURCHASE/ 01/STOL/80-8, was issued on October 22, 2023, and invites bids from STOL aircraft manufacturers who wish to participate in the single-stage, two-envelope bidding process.

The state-owned airline seeks brand-new aircraft with zero flight hours and no more than 25 hours of flying for test flight performance. The RFP documentation stipulates a minimum engine capacity of 620 shaft horsepower that can provide at least 4,000 hours of flying before any mandatory overhaul. The aircraft must be able to operate on runways of 1,500 feet or less, be FAA and EASA approved, and come with a fully integrated digital avionics package (including an FDR, a CVR, a 406 MHz ELT with latitude and longitude transmission, HF Radio, and a second ADF radio).

Each aircraft must be able to carry a minimum of 18 passengers plus one cabin crew. All passenger seats should be able to be removed/folded and reinstalled when necessary. Stretcher capacity...