Nepali airline receives two more Chinese-made planes

Kathmandu   :  Nepal's national flag carrier, Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC), on Tuesday formally received two new aircraft from a Chinese manufacturer.

With the addition of the two 17-seater Y-12e planes to its fleet, the NAC has completed taking the delivery of all six Chinese-made planes as part of a deal between Nepal and China, Xinhua news agency reported.

At a ceremony held at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Chinese supplier AVIC International Holding handed over the planes to NAC officials in the presence of Nepali Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari and Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Yu Hong.

Addressing the gathering, Adhikari said the addition of the Chinese aircraft will contribute to the economic development of the Himalayan country. 

"These aircraft are the symbol of cooperation between Nepal and China. I am confident that with these planes, NAC will be able to serve the demand of general public and contribute in national economy," he said. 

The minister said that the two aircraft will be in operation within 100 days. However, he sought support from the Chinese supplier regarding operation, maintenance and spare parts. 

The NAC had signed an agreement with AVIC International Aero-Development to procure six aircraft -- two 56-seater MA60 and four 17-seater Y-12e in November 2012. Nepal acquired the six Chinese aircraft, two in grants and four in loans.