Nepal Airlines (RA, Kathmandu) management has been urged to put in motion plans to acquire two widebody jets needed to launch longhaul operations. Nepali Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Bhim Acharya, told the Republica newspaper that the airline's board should formalize their preferred options, which include two narrowbody jets, before making a request to government.
“It has nearly been two months that we made plans to buy four aircraft for international operation. The NAC board must take formal decision in this direction soon,” he said.
The struggling Nepalese carrier has already outlined its 10-year commercial plan which envisages a fleet of 16 aircraft for use on domestic routes and nine on international routes.
Acharya said the national carrier is planning to induct a total of thirteen aircraft into its fleet this year including MA-60s, Y12Es, and two A320s on order from Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac).
“By operating 13 planes this year, we will have total turnover of USD184million and profit of USD11million,” Kharel said, adding, “But the end of 2014, we estimate to profit USD57million by posting total turnover of USD524million.”
At present, Nepal Airlines operates two B757-200s on flights to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Doha Hamad International, Hong Kong International, and Kuala Lumpur International while a fleet of ageing DHC-6s and a sole MA-60 ply domestic routes.
