Nepal Airlines (RA, Kathmandu) is studying the possibility of acquiring up to four DHC-6-400s from Canadian manufacturer Viking Air (VKN, Victoria International), the Nepali carrier's managing director has confirmed.

Speaking to The Kathmandu Post, Sugat Ratna Kansakar said the acquisition was currently at the planning phase and would be submitted to management for approval.

“We are planning to procure at least four new Viking DHC-6-400 Twin Otter aircraft," he said. "After necessary analysis by the management, the proposal will be tabled at the board for approval."

Nepal Airlines is an existing operator of the Twin Otter employing three aging De Havilland Canada-manufactured -300 variants on routes to local destinations that require the use of STOL-capable aircraft.

“Once we procure the aircraft, we will expand our network to all the airports in the country,” Kansakar added. “We have enough manpower, like engineers and pilots, to fly the DHC-6 Twin Otter."

To foster development of its local network, Nepal Airlines also operates two MA-60s and two Y12Es. A further two Y12Es are expected to arrive despite the fact that the type has yet to obtain a gradient certificate that will allow it to operate from runways with slopes exceeding 1.2 degrees.