Regional Jet aircraft and their specks in the Nepal
January 4, 2017- Kathmandu
Though the first regional jet aircraft brought in the country was by the retired Cosmic Air with its 105 seated Fokker 100, in 2014, Saurya Airlines brought in another regional jet aircraft in the country and successfully conducted flights assuring that the regional jets can perform much faster and efficient in the country and air travel is all about saving time and getting into business.
The 50 seated Bombardier CRJ200 which consists General motors CF34-3B1 engines known for its improved efficiency, performed extremely well within two years of the establishment of the company ensuring the trust of passengers by flying fast and reliably.
Though the airlines only had one aircraft in its fleet, it made a name for itself in a short period of time and served passengers neatly and in steady with hectic schedules around domestic routes that comprise Dhangadi, Nepalgunj, Biratnagar and Bhadrapur including the conduction of mountain flights too. The company also plans to purchase another CRJ200 increasing its fleet and service.
After the endeavor of Saurya Airlines, the biggest helicopter company in the country, Shree Airlines witnessed the performance of the aircraft and decided to bring in more number of regional jets in the country and to enter in the fixed wing business.
The company earlier announced that it will be entering the fixed wing business by bringing in three Bombardier Crj-200 and three Embraer Erj-145 aircraft (both kinds are regional jets) in its fleet.
The move was quite bold considering that the major airline company of the country, Buddha Air and Yeti Air conduct their services by the ATR series and Jet Streams have been prevailing in the Nepalese sky for many years within utmost passengers trust and it also gave an imminent competition to the major airliners.
And, bringing in the regional jets will challenge the propeller aircraft which are long serving in the country as the jets are 10 minutes faster than them and air travel is all about saving time.
On a passenger’s perspective, the regional jets are much more comfortable as the aircraft is faster, quieter, with far less cabin vibration and lesser turbulence.
Any Nepalese passenger is ought to choose the jet airliner than to travel in a propeller aircraft at the same amount of expense. But, from an airline perspective, the turboprops in Nepal provide much more efficiency, cost less fuel, and have very good economics at the size they have along with functioning in more airfields due to its STOL capabilities though the jet aircraft may bring more revenue by flying faster.
Nepal is geographically incompatible and the Nepalese sky is considered difficult to fly. The uneven terrains, unpredictable clouds, abnormal weather conditions and position of airports in high elevation make the task of flying a challenging one.
Mostly in highest altitude airports, only the STOL aircraft can land safely which gives the turboprops additional routes to conduct their services. While the jet airliners do not have such STOL capacities, they may be able to fly to nearby countries.
Recently, Buddha Air has been conducting flights up to Banaras and similarly, the regional jets can expand their services in more and wider range of cities outside the country i.e., in India and nearby Tibet, Bhutan, China etc. making airports other than Kathmandu its base.
With the provision of more number of air routes, the jets can perform extremely well in such areas. Still, the airliners have to fight for the routes and establish themselves majorly for such facilities. And with the construction of the second international airport and agreement of more number of air routes, the regional jets are touted to fly farther.
Likewise, the pilots who are duly flying in the turboprops will get a thrill after visiting in the 3d-digital cockpit of the jet aircraft and the presence of more number of regional jets will be prestigious to the country.
Shree Airlines is in concluding arrangements of adding 2 Canadian made Bombardier aircraft of CRJ 200 series for the voyages in Bhadrapur, Biratnagar, Bhairawa, Nepalgunj, Dhangadi trunk routes and mountain flight sector with an investment of 2 Billion Nepali rupees. The airline is certain that the addition of new aircraft will arrange for direct job to 200 people and also indirectly to 2000 more people.
