Nepal Foreign Affairs (Kathmandu, September 9)–Two Chinese aircraft provided by Aviation Industry of China (AVIC) are technically sound and equally safe as any other aircraft, Sugat Rana Khansakar, Managing Director of Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) said in a recent interview, hoping its Chinese partner can do more for its revitalization.
Stating that fleet expansion will allow NAC to serve the tourism industry of Nepal, the managing director further said that NAC plans to commence direct flights to many Chinese cities so that more Chinese tourists would visit Nepal with lower cost on air transportation.
During a meeting with the officials of Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) in Kathmandu on May second week, AVIC International had pledged full assistance in the difficult period of neighbouring nation.
Vice President of AVIC International Zhang Guangjian who was in Kathmandu in May told NAC in the second week of May, “we are ready to assist in the relief programmes in Nepal in whatever ways we can”.
This bold commitment from AVIC has boosted the confidence of NAC to serve the tourism industry of Nepal. Earlier, Chairman of NAC Shiva Sharan Neupane said, “The assistance of Chinese Aircraft Company is really praiseworthy at this difficult moment.”
Though NAC could not receive any donations or logistics support due to government’s decision to channelize the funds, AVIC had supported the quake victims of the Himalayan nation through Prime Minister’s Relief fund.
The two aircraft MA60 and Y12e had made a huge assistance to the government in the rescue and relief programmes in quake hit districts. They had started flights on the very third day of the quake by contributing in the delivery of aid materials.
In 2013, Nepal government had signed a commercial agreement with AVIC to by 6 aircrafts. As per this, two planes MA60 and Y12e are under NAC fleet, whereas remaining four aircraft three Y12e and a MA60 are expected to join NAC soon.
Four Chinese airlines are currently operating direct flights between Kathmandu and inland Chinese cities.