Himalaya Airlines takes-off to Lhasa for test flight
Travel Biz News —
Kathmandu – Himalaya Airlines, a Nepal – China joint venture airline, took off to their first high altitude destination, Lhasa for a test flight today.
Lhasa is the religious and administrative capital of Tibet Autonomous Region, famous for its history and religious landmarks, attracting millions of tourists from all over the world.
Lhasa Gonggar International Airport is the largest airport in Tibet Autonomous Region and is one of the highest airports in the world with an elevation of 3,570 meters (11,710 ft).
The test flight operation is in line with company’s commercial plan to introduce scheduled flights to Lhasa during summer of 2021, according to a release issued by Himalaya Airlines.
President of Himalaya Airlines Zhou Enyong and Vice President – Administration Vijay Shrestha hoped that the sector would boost the tourist movement between Nepal and Tibet in the post-pandemic days.
Captain Hao Di, Vice President-Operations, led the test flight crew including senior level captains who would carry out three different approaches at Lhasa airport for the validation flight.
The test flight H9 961 departed from Tribhuwan International Airport at 07:17 hours (local time) and landed at Lhasa Gonggar International Airport (LXA) at 10:46 hours (local time). The return flight from Lhasa is scheduled to depart at 15:00 hours (local time) on the same day and expected to land in Kathmandu at 14:00 hours (local time).
The airlines inducted a brand new narrow body A319-115 aircraft registered as H9-AJK on Mar 02, 2020 especially for high altitude operations. Configured with 120 economy and 8 business class seats the aircraft has modifications for high altitude operations and capabilities to operate trans Himalayan routes with aerodromes elevation to maximum 14,500 ft.
Himalaya Airlines, a Nepal- China joint Venture established in August 2014, operates flights to 7 destinations – Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Doha, Dhaka, Kuala Lumpur, Beijing and Chongqing of China through its four aircrafts.
Jan. 19 , 2021
