Minister directs NAC to lease 2 more jets

TOURISM and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Kumar Shrestha on Monday said he has directed the Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) management to initiate the process to lease two wide-body aircraft to strengthen its international network. As the NAC will get four narrow- body Airbus A320-200 jets within the next one and half years, the national flag carrier is in need of two more wide-body jets for long-haul flights, Shrestha said during the NAC’s 55th Anniversary programme here on Monday. The NAC has signed a purchase agreement with Airbus for two A320-200 aircraft, while it is in the process to lease two aircraft of the same type under a dry-lease agreement from international aircraft leasing companies. It has shortlisted four leasers for their commercial evaluation. “Narrowbody aircraft are not enough for NAC to compete in the international market,” he said, adding the government has “favoured” the ailing carrier for the last time and that it should show its competency. “As the carrier’s credibility is at a risk, it’s high time the NAC refurbished its brand image.” Tourism Secretary Sushil Ghimire also said addition of wide-body aircraft to the NAC fleet will help meet the growing demand in the long-haul sector. “It’s a difficult task to expand the national carrier’s fleet, but we have to take the challenge,” said Ghimire, who also chairs the NAC board. He said the NAC should be revamped as a commercial entity, and a committee has been formed in this regard. NAC Managing Director Madan Kharel said the corporation will work on its domestic fleet expansion after international. “We will be operating three twin-otters soon in the domestic sector, while the plan to bring Chinese aircraft for domestic service is in progress,” he said. Currently, the NAC flies a single aircraft on domestic routes. “We are also committed to improve our management to make us more competive.” The NAC’s Employees Union urged the government to enforce a mandatory provision requiring government officials and politicians, among others, to travel on the national flag carrier.