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Nepal Airlines takes delivery of two AVIC aircraft
February 17th 2017
Nepal Airlines’ re-fleeting is a work in progress. After taking delivery of two off-factory A320s in 2015, the flag carrier received two made-in-China AVIC aircraft this month: a 56-seat MA60 and a 17-seat Y-12E. Read More » In an agreement signed between China and Nepal in 2012, the Himalayan nation signed for two MA60s (in grants) and four Y-12Es (in loans).
"Nepal Airlines considers the entry of Chinese aircraft into service as an impetus to expand domestic service," said the airline’s managing director, Sugat Ratna Kansakar. The carrier hopes to increase its domestic market share from approximately 6% to 20% with the acceptance of the AVIC aircraft.
Last month, Nepal Airlines awarded U.S. lessor and MRO specialist, AAR Aircraft Sales & Leasing, the contract for the supply of two Trent772B-powered A330-200s following a Request for Proposals (RFP) issued last September. The carrier will pay $104.8 million for each jet. Miami-headquartered AAR has indicated it could supply the first aircraft by mid-April, with the second jet due by April 2018.
The A330s will replace the carrier’s two ageing B757-200s. Nepal Airlines said it needed the wide-bodies for new routes to Tokyo and Seoul. It also said Sydney, Shanghai and Beijing were under consideration. The carrier flies to Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Doha, Dubai, Delhi and Mumbai. Once the B757s are phased out, Nepal Airlines will have an all-A320/A330 international fleet.
