-KATHMANDU
The State-owned flag Carrier, Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has started its preparations to launch three long-haul routes in Asia; Osaka, Seoul and Riyadh airport from its base at Kathmandu.
After the approval from the minister-level decision on December last year, NAC has been provided with green signal to operate flights to Japan, South Korea and Saudi Arabia. The national flag carrier has been designated four weekly flights each on the Kathmandu-Osaka and Kathmandu-Seoul sectors, and daily flights on the Kathmandu-Riyadh sector, as per the ministry officials.
Mr.Rabindra Shrestha, spokesperson for NAC stated that the corporation has acquired its necessary Flight Permit for conducting its scheduled flight on the three international long haul routes. NAC will serve these routes after it receives its two wide-body aircraft (A330) in Ashar of 2075.
The corporation has also invited proposals from potential ground handling service providers at Kansai International Airport (KIX), Osaka, Japan. It had made a similar call to prospective ground handling service providers at Incheon International Airport in Incheon, South Korea on February. Likewise, it had also asked CAR 145 Maintenance Organizations at Incheon International Airport (ICN), South Korea for the Line maintenance support of its A330 powered with RR Trent 772B engines in last January.
Earlier, the carrier had also announced for resuming its flight to London after acquiring two wide-body aircraft. However, it has placed its European plans on hold as Nepali carriers are still banned for flying under the European Union airspace.
Meanwhile, Nepal has also proposed signing a Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASA) with Australia to expand its flight network after acquiring new long-range aircraft.
The flag carrier is operating domestic and international flights with its 11 aircraft. 2 Twin-Otter (DHC-6), 2 MA 60 and 4 Y12e operates for domestic sector whereas 1 Boeing 757 and 2 Airbus A320s operate international flights to 7 destinations around the world.
