Altitude Air adds new Airbus chopper to its fleet

KATHMANDU: The Altitude Air Pvt Ltd brought its second Airbus helicopter for commercial operations in the country, a statement issued by the company today said.

Assembled in Singapore-based Airbus Helicopters Southeast Asia Pvt Ltd, the chopper with a call sign 9N-AMS has landed at Tribhuvan International Airport at 2:00 pm while Captain duo Nischal KC and Sobit Gauchan along with engineer Anirudra Shrestha conducted 17-hour-long ferry flight via Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh and India, Nima Nuru Sherpa, Managing Director of the company said.

According to him, the six-seater AS 350(H125) B3E chopper was renowned globally for high altitude search and rescue work with an impressive cargo-swing load capacity.

The company purchased the single-engine chopper at around 270 million rupees, he added.

The brand new chopper which was manufactured in March will help fulfill the need of general consumers, Sherpa said, adding that the company successfully conducted high altitude search and rescue operations through its first Airbus chopper. “As always, safety is our top priority,” Sherpa said.

The board of directors includes company’s chairman Lakpa Sonam Sherpa (Thamserku Trekking), MD Nima Nuru Sherpa (Cho-Oyu Treks), Vice-chairman Furba Gyaljen Sherpa (Himalayan Sherpa Adventure), Jiban Ghimire (Shangri-La Nepal Treks), Ram Prasad Sapkota (Himalayan Social Journey Treks), Mingma Gelu Sherpa (Seven Summits Club) and Jyoti Adhikari (Eco Trek International).

The tourism entrepreneurs also plan to invest nearly one billion rupees to ensure good quality service, according to Sherpa.  “We have a plan to buy more choppers next year.”

According to the Airbus, the H125 series are currently in-service worldwide, and are mainly used for high performance missions in high & hot conditions. “The H125 is a member of Airbus Helicopters' rugged and proven Ecureuil family and some 6,000 Ecureuils have been delivered in nearly 120 countries for some 1,800 operators.”

Now, there are seven more helicopter companies operating in the country.