BB Airways, a private international airline owned by Bhawan Bhatta, has got its license renewed. Though the airways committed to begin its service from 2012 after receiving operation approval but could not continue due to the unavailability of aircraft which then led to the termination of Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC). The license which needs to be revised and renewed every 2 years had not been done.
Suresh Acharya, Secretary of Tourism Ministry informed the license was renewed after the presentation of BB Airways plan like procuring new aircraft, appointing employees and managing all the marketing business.
The airline had mentioned to start its initial flight over various destinations by purchasing 2 Airbus and Boeing aircraft each in its program. Ministry had decided to renew its license on the presentation of satisfactory business plan, informed Acharya.
In September 2012, BB Airways had leased aircraft from Cambodia’s Tonlesap Airlines and had started its scheduled flight from Kathmandu to Malaysia but after the expiry of the lease the flight stopped.
Now, the BB Airways have to present application on Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to acquire AOC. CAAN will only provide AOC to the company after clarifying and filing the necessary documents.
BB Airways has already purchased three decades old Boeing 757 ‘9N-ACA’ aircraft of NAC on the first week of January for Nrs. 146 million but the aircraft is presently parked at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).
