Fleet expansion plan brings cheers to NAC employees

Until last year, the anniversary celebration of Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) used to be a gloomy affair. Employees used to hurl blames at the management for its failure in expanding fleet of the national flag carrier. But anniversary celebration was different this year. It seems that the decision to purchase two brand new Airbus A320-200 aircraft has injected optimism into NAC employees and management alike. Speaking at the 55th anniversary of NAC here on Monday, Senior Pilot Krishna Bikram Chhetri the decision to acquire two new aircraft had lifted their spirits. “We are feeling proud and excited at the thought of flying to Europe again,” he added. NAC presently has a fleet of two Boeing 757s and a few Twin Otters. But only one Boeing 757 is presently in service as the other is undergoing maintenance. Similarly, it has only one Twin Otter in operation for the domestic sector. Along with two Airbus A320-200s, NAC is in the process of buying six aircraft for domestic operation from China. Speaking on the occasion, leaders of NAC employees´ trade unions welcomed the decision to procure new aircraft. They also emphasized the need to enhance management so as to take optimum benefits from fleet expansion. Referring to the aircraft procurement process, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Ram Kumar Shrestha, said NAC employees have one last chance to restore glory of the national flag carrier. “It´s a do or die situation. If we failed to bring about improvements in NAC now, nothing can save it from dying,” said Shrestha. He said it was with great difficulty that the tourism ministry managed to convince the government and the Employees´ Provident Fund to lend Rs 10 billion to NAC for fleet expansion. “If NAC is to survive in this competitive market, it should have at least 6-8 aircraft for international operation,” Shrestha said, suggesting the NAC to initiate process to purchase two wide-body aircraft after the two A320-200s join its fleet. Tourism secretary Sushil Ghimire said the government was mulling over forming a separate committee for proper management of the national flag carrier. “We also have plans to lease two wide-body planes for NAC in the next three years,” added Ghimire. Speaking on the occasion, trade union leader Tarani Raj Dahal said NAC should ground the ageing Boeing 757s once the new aircraft join the fleet. “The ageing aircraft are not commercially viable, they consume more fuel,” he added.