NAC to procure three aircraft for STOL routes

KATHMANDU: Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has begun preparation to procure three aircraft for short take off and landing (STOL) flights.

The board of directors of NAC has formed a seven-member sub-committee to initiate the procurement process. The team is led by Senior Captain Sudhir Shusmher Rai.

Issuing a statement on Monday, NAC said that it would procure the aircraft by holding direct talks with the manufacturer in a transparent manner. NAC plans to procure the aircraft by mobilizing its internal resources.

“After the three STOL aircraft are procured, we can expand our services in rural areas of the country and also help in tourism promotion,” NAC said in the statement, adding that its presence will give competition to private carriers which can bring down flight fares to some extent.

NAC currently operates a fleet of two aging Twin Otter aircraft for STOL flights. It has grounded two MA-60 aircraft and four Harbin Y12e aircraft, which were procured from China for domestic routes, citing high operation costs.