Nepal Airlines to get Airbus A320-200 by February, 2015

Travelbiznews Reporter ———-

Kathmandu: Nepal Airlines Corporation will get first A A320-200 aircraft by February 2015 as per its deal with the European Airbus manufacturer.

According to NAC, the first A320-200 aircraft ordered from Airbus is on the final assembly of engine and seats. The aircraft will have 158 seats, eight in business and 150 seats in economy class.

The European manufacturer will deliver the first jet by February and the second jet is scheduled to arrive in Nepal by April, 2015.

NAC signed a Rs 10 billion loan agreement with the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) to buy the two aircraft on June 18, 2013 commiting to repay the loan in eight years.

NAC plans to resume services to more international destinations with two new aircrafts. At present, NAC operates two Boeings on international flights.

Nepal’s national flag carrier, Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) signed a firm order for two Airbus A320 aircraft equipped with Sharklet fuel saving wing tip devices, following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreed in April 2013.

“The A320 was chosen for its unique performance capability required for high altitude airport operations and its flexibility that enables it to be deployed on a wide variety of routes. Equipped with Sharklets to deliver unbeatable economics and up to four percent reduction in fuel burn, the aircraft will be the cornerstone of NAC’s modernised fleet,” Airbus said.

Nepal Airlines currently flies to four international destinations and 25 domestic locations in the heart of the Himalayas.

The new A320s are fully equipped with latest Required Navigation Performance (RNP) technologies, allowing the aircraft to fly precisely along predefined routes using state-of-the-art onboard navigation systems. This is particularly benefitial for operations at high altitude airports which are constrained by mountains such as the carrier’s main base in Kathmandu.

The A320 Family, which includes the A318, A319, A320 and A321, is recognised as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family.

Nearly 9,500 Airbus A320 Family aircraft have been sold to more than 380 customers and operators worldwide; making it the world’s best selling commercial jetliner ever according to Airbus.

Meanwhile, the new Chinese Y-12e aircraft has started two daily flights on the Kathmandu-Pokhara sector. NAC received a Chinese-made 18-seater Y12e aircraft as part of a six- aircraft deal between Nepal and China recently.
Dec. 17, 2014