BB Airways, the Nepalese private international carrier have to wait at least one and half year to get a permit to restart its flight operation.
Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has informed only to issue an operating license to BB airways to the government after the completion of expansion project. Escalating air traffic in skies over Kathmandu and lack of parking bay has led to hold aircraft for hours producing hefty delays. The delay and cancellation of flights and congestion at the country’s one and only international airport Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) has been creating flight chaos.
As per the information, BB airways has sent proposal to renew the license to resume flights operation to Ministry of Tourism, culture and civil aviation. The minister has asked CAAN for its input. BB airways have to acquire No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the CAAN. NOC permit airlines to import or buy aircraft.
According to the Kathmandu post, CAAN in a statement stated that BB Airways has not complied with any provision in the regulation. Hence, the authority is unaware under which provision the carrier has procured the aircraft.
The expansion project of Bhairahawa airport is expected to complete by 2019 whereas the minister has not reach at point to issue a flying license to BB airways. BB airway’s Boeing 757 will remain in a parking bay at TIA and also cannot fly out of Nepal with NAC registration.
BB Airways, private international airlines owned by Bhawan Bhatta purchased three decades old Boeing 757 ‘9N-ACA’ aircraft of NAC on the first week of January.
Boeing 757 which has flown for 86410 hours has been grounded for 2 years at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA). BB airways bought Boeing 757 for Nrs. 146 million.
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.
