Chinese MA60 aircraft arriving today
KATHMANDU, April 27 :
The 56-seater Chinese Modern Ark 60 (MA60) aircraft, which was handed over to Nepal formally by China Aviation Industry Corporation (CAIC) on April 4, will land at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) on Sunday.
The coming of MA60 to Nepal was possible after Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), the aviation regulatory body of the country, issued ´No Objection Letter´ to the aircraft on Friday.
“The aircraft will land at TIA on Sunday,” Ram Hari Sharma, spokesperson at Nepal Airlines Corporation said adding “Though the aircraft was scheduled to be brought in the country on Friday itself, the date was postponed one day ahead due to some technical and certification problem.” [ break]
The arrival of MA60 is a part of loan and grant agreement worth Rs 6.67 billion signed by Chinese government with Nepal last year. The agreement was regarding the procurement of six aircrafts-two 56 seat MA60 and four 19-seat Y-12e.
“Though the aircraft will land in Nepal on Sunday, it will take a few days for the aircraft to fly in the Nepali air as the aircraft is yet to get Air Operator Certificate from CAAN,” Sharma said and added that the aircraft would go for commercial flights possibly within two weeks.
Along with the new MA60, NAC-the national flag carrier--will have two aircrafts for domestic operation. NAC is flying in the domestic skies with a sole Twin Otter with call sign 9N-ABU currently. Of the two Twin Otters with NAC for domestic purpose, the service from one was halted following its crash in Arghakhanchi last February.
Meanwhile, CAAN official said the MA60 aircraft is yet to obtain Certification of Registration in Nepal and will be let to fly in domestic skies commercially only after the aircraft fulfills other set criteria by Civil Aviation Regulation, 2058 including its Nepali registration.
“The aircraft, besides AOC, also has to obtain Certificate of Air Worthiness, Radio Mobile License among others to operate commercially and the license of crews of the aircraft has to be checked by CAAN,” a source at CAAN said, adding “After completion of all other criteria, the aircraft´s commercial operation will be approved by CAAN.”
Source: Republica
