Brand new Airbus A320 joins NAC's fleet; To start commercial service from Feb 25

KATHMANDU, Feb 8: The first of two Airbus A320-200 aircraft, ordered by Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC), landed in Kathmandu on Sunday.

This is first expansion in NAC´s international fleet in 27 years.

The aircraft, which has been named ´Sagarmatha´, landed at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu via Doha at 4:30 pm. Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has given 9N-AKW call-sign to the aircraft.

The aircraft was given water cannon salute upon its arrival at TIA. A group of artists played traditional music, while a special worship was carried out as per the Hindu tradition.

A team led by Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Deepak Chandra Amatya was on board the aircraft. The team included NAC Chairman Shiva Sharan Neupane, NAC Managing Director Madan Kharel, NAC´s engineers, pilots and airhostess, and representatives from CAAN.

Talking to Republica, NAC Spokesperson Ram Hari Sharma said they will bring the aircraft into commercial operation after two weeks. “We are planning to begin commercial operation from February 25 with a flight to New Delhi," Sharma said, adding that the aircraft will start operating scheduled flights to Hong Kong and Bangkok very soon.

Currently, NAC is operating flights to Doha, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Hong Kong with its ageing Boeing 757 aircraft. It had cancelled Dubai and New Delhi flights some months ago, citing shortage of aircraft.

Source: myRepublica