Nepal Airlines seeks budget for four new domestic aircraft as fleet crisis grounds remote routes
Summary
Nepal Airlines proposes purchasing four new aircraft to resume domestic flights to remote regions and expand international routes by leasing narrowbody aircraft.
Key Points
- Nepal Airlines Corporation proposes purchasing two Twin Otter DHC-6 and two ATR-72 aircraft to expand domestic flights to remote and trunk routes.
- The proposal includes operating ATR-72 aircraft on lease if immediate purchase is not feasible, with a budget request for fiscal year 2026/27.
- Nepal Airlines aims to lease two narrowbody Airbus aircraft to expand international destinations, improving route profitability.
- Grounded Chinese and Boeing-757 aircraft are being evaluated for feasibility of operation in the near future.
- Nepal Airlines currently faces a shortage of aircraft impacting flights on both domestic trunk routes and remote mountain areas.
