Yeti Airlines newly arrived ATR 72-500 with registration ‘9N-ANG’ has been drawn into hold by Customs of Nepal. The customs put hold on clearance of customs of newly arrived ATR 72-500 aircraft as it doubted on the purchase price of the aircraft which is 12 years old and had been purchased from NOK Air. It has been found that the price of purchase shown to the department of customs, Nepal was not equal to price of the aircraft mentioned to insurance company, because of which the dispute had started.
This aircraft flying with NOK Air was manufactured in 2007 for which Yeti Airlines had illustrated a purchase price of NRs. 365.8 Millions while the insurance paper showed its purchase price of NRs. 606.1 Million. Another ATR 72 manufactured in 2007 and purchased by Buddha year previously had cleared customs with a purchase price of NRs.820 Millions, which has created a scenario of doubt in this purchase of Yeti Airlines new ATR aircraft.
Yet Airlines is 5th in having the ownership of this newly arrived ATR with MSN 740. With NOK air of Thailand, the aircraft flew for 4 other different companies in India and Africa. A similar case had happened with its 4th purchase of ATR 72 registered ‘9N-ANC’ which had illustrated purchase price of NRs. 560 Millions and the customs had put hold on clearance. Thereafter, Yeti Airlines paid its security deposit to the customs and the aircraft came into operation. The same might happen with this aircraft. The customs charge a lowest Tax of 1% on the purchase price for importing any aircrafts in Nepal.
Yeti Airlines is now operator of 5 ATR 72 aircrafts and the largest ATR operator of country, Buddha Air operates 7 ATR-72 and 3 ATR-42 aircrafts presently. Unofficial reports claim that ‘Buddha Air’ is soon going to add 2 more AR 72 aircrafts in its fleet and also ‘Sita Air’ is going to introduce ATR 72 aircrafts in its fleet soon.
