Two China-made planes formally handed over to Nepal

Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has formally received two new aircrafts from Chinese supplier, AVIC International Holding, to add to its domestic fleet.

With addition of two new Chinese planes, one 56-seater MA60 and another Y-12e, the NAC has now majority of its planes made in China. Of the total seven planes in its domestic fleet, four are China-made while three are Canadian Twin Otters, reports Xinhua.

AVIC International Holding, handed over planes to the NAC amid a function organised at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.

The two planes had landed in Kathmandu on January 26 and February 1.

NAC Managing Director, Sugat Ratna Kansakar and Xu Bo, vice-president of AVIC International Aero-Development, signed the handover document at the presence of Nepalese Minister of Culture Tourism and Civil Aviation Jiwan Bahadur Shahi and Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Yu Hong.

As per an agreement signed between the NAC and AVIC International Holding, in 2012, Nepal would acquire six Chinese aircraft, two in grants and four in loans. Of the six planes, Nepal's national flag carrier has to take delivery of two MA60 and four Y12e as per the agreement.

During the handover ceremony, Nepalese Minister Shahi made an appeal to the Chinese side to arrange English speaking pilots. "The NAC plans to bring two additional Y-12e in the very new future," said Kansakar.

The NAC had taken delivery of two new planes after nearly two year-long hiatus of first acquiring first two planes -- one MA60 and Y-12e in 2014 which were given to NAC as a grant from China, because it had concerns regarding spare parts, training, load capacity and insurance cost with the supplier.