Airliners of Nepal: National flag carrier moving ahead and dreaming big
As a national flag carrier and the server of international destinations, Nepal airlines have become the heart of the country and favorite among Nepalese passengers. Providing cheaper rate than other private airliners, it provides service to domestic travelers with utmost care and international travelers with pride. With the largest fleet in the country, it has been a source for national economy and hope for the country.
History and Introduction
Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) was established on 1st of July, 1958 through the help of Nepal Airlines Corporation Act. It was first termed as Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation (RNAC) and was the first airline company. Later, the named was changed as Nepal Airlines Corporation only.
The airlines operate its flights through Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) making its air base. The airlines has total of ten aircraft in its fleet including two Boeing 757 (one to be phased out), two Airbus A320, two MA-60, three DHC 6-300 Twin Otters and one Harbin Y-12.
The airlines serve Dubai, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Doha and Bengaluru as its international destinations while domestically, it serves Chandragadi, Biratnagar, Pokhara, Nepalgunj, Lukla, etc summing to 25 destinations.
The airlines operated various kinds of aircraft including Douglas DC-3 Dakota as its first aircraft and later Fong Shu Harvester AN-2, Pilatus Porter PC-6, Fokker Friendship F-27, Hawker Siddley HS-748 Avro and Boeing 727 in its history.
Fleet Introduction:
- De Havilland Canada DHC 6-300 Twin Otter
- Modern Ark-60
- Harbin Y-12e
- Airbus A320
- Boeing 757
De Havilland Canada DHC 6-300 Twin Otter
- General characteristics
- Crew: 2 Pilots
- Seating: 19 passengers
- Wingspan: 65 ft 0 in (19.8 m)
- Wing area: 420 sq ft (39 m2)
- Height: 19 ft 4 in (5.9 m)
- Empty weight: 7, 4151 lb. (3,363 kg)
- Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW): 12, 500 lb. (5,670 kg)
- Maximum landing weight (MLW): 12,300 lb (5,579 kg)
- Power plant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney PT6A-27 680 shp each
- Maximum speed: 170 knots (314 km/h at cruise altitude)
- Cruise speed: 150 knots (278 km/h at cruise altitude)
- Range (Max fuel, no payload): 775 nmi, (1,434 km)
- Service ceiling: 25,000 ft. (7,620 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,600 m/s (8.1 m./s)
- Power/Mass:12 hp/lb (0.20 kW/kg) or 8.33 lb/hp (5 kg/kW) reciprocal value
Modern Ark-MA60
- General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Capacity: 56 passengers
- Length:71 m (81 ft 0¾ in)
- Wingspan:20 m (95 ft 9½ in)
- Height:86 m (29 ft 0½ in)
- Wing area:0 m² (807 ft²)
- Empty weight: 13,700 kg (30,203 lb)
- Takeoff weight: 21,800 kg (48,060 lb)
- Power plant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127J Turboprop, 2,051 kW (2,750 shp) each
- Maximum speed: 514 km/h (278 knots, 319 mph)
- Cruise speed: 430 km/h (232 knots, 267 mph) (econ cruise speed)
- Range: 1,600 km (864 nmi, 994 mi)
- Service ceiling: 7,620 m (25,000 ft)
Harbin Y-12e
- General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Capacity: 17 passengers
- Length:86 m (48 ft 9 in)
- Wingspan:24 m (56 ft 6½ in)
- Height:68 m (18 ft 7½ in)
- Wing area:27 m² (368.9 ft²)
- Airfoil: LS(1)-0417
- Empty weight: 2,840 kg (6,621 lb)
- Maximum takeoff weight: 5,300 kg (11,684 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 turboprop, 462 kW (620 hp) each
- Maximum speed: 328 km/h (177 knots, 204 mph) at 3,000m (9,840 ft) (max cruise)
- Cruise speed: 250 km/h (135 knots, 155 mph) at 3,000m (9,840 ft) (econ cruise)
- Range: 1,340 km (723 NM, 832 mi) at econ cruise, 45 min reserves
- Service ceiling: 7,000 m (23,000 ft)
- Rate of climb:1 m/s (1,595 ft/min)
Airbus A320
- General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Seats: 158
- Length: 57 m
- Height: 76 m
- Wing span: 3410 m
- Maximum take-off weight: 73,500 kg
- Maximum landing weight: 64,500 kg
- Weight Empty: 37,230 kg
- Tank capacity: 18,700
- Fuel consumption per flying hour: 2,500 kg/h
- Maximum range: 5,500 km
- Maximum cruising height: 39,800 ft
- Engines(×2): CFM56-5B
- Maximum standing thrust: 2×27,000 lbs
- Take-off speed (full): 285 km/h
- Landing speed: 248 km/h
- Cruising speed: 858 km/h
Boeing 757
- General characteristics
- Seats: 190
- Length: 47.3 m
- Height: 13.6 m
- Wing span: 38.0 m
- Maximum take-off weight: 115,660 kg
- Maximum landing weight: 92,250 kg
- Weight Empty: 58,440 kg
- Tank capacity: 43,490 liters
- Maximum range: 7250 km
- Maximum Cruising Height: 42,000 ft
- Engines(×2): 40,200–43,500 lbf (179–193 kN) Rolls-Royce RB211-535E4(B)
- Take-off: 6,800 ft / 2,070 m
- Cruising speed: 854 km/h
Future Plan:
The airlines have planned to bring in two Airbus A330-200 into its fleet and then to conduct flights to international destinations like Tokyo and Australia. Likewise, it is in cue to bring in three more Harbin Y-12e bought from China in a soft loan deal. It has recently added another MA-60 bought from China too
Photo Feature:
Comments are closed.