Yeti Airlines is conducting the test flight of ATR aircraft today. Authority person from Yeti Airlines along with flight safety depart from Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has all gathered at TIA for the most anticipated proving flight of Yeti’s ATR 72-212A series aircraft. The aircraft took off from TIA at 12:30 to land in Nepalgunj for proving its performance.
Engineers from flight safety department from CAAN along with officials from Yeti are on board in the test flight. Authorities from CAAN will be inspecting the aircraft during its air operation. The plane is yet to land back at Kathmandu. The aircraft after proving its performance will be issued AOC by CAAN.
The largest and the oldest domestic carrier of Nepal (founded on 1st of May, 1998) had landed its first ever ATR 72-212A series aircraft in Nepal on July 22, 2017. The aircraft was landed at Tribhuvan International Airport under the command of Nepalese pilots with Polar White livery.
Ground Handling Manager of Yeti Airlines, Mr. Bhim Raj Rai said that the livery of the aircraft has already been colored with Yeti logo. The aircraft was painted at Nepal Army Based Hangar at Tribhuvan International Airport and the livery also has been embraced by Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) logo of UN promoting awareness themed to reduce poverty, improve well being and protect the environment, said, officials.
Mr. Rai had earlier released the information that the company had targeted to initiate the commercial flight of the aircraft from today. But due to pending documentation process, the scheduled operation was delayed. Yeti Airlines claims that the ATR 72-212A -MSN 876 with the age of 8 years will be the youngest FAA/ EASA approved pressurized aircraft in operation in Nepal.
The aircraft has been registered with ‘9N-AMN’ registration number by CAAN and is likely to be the youngest ATR-72 aircraft in Nepal to receive the AOC certificate for flight operation.
