KATHMANDU: The new Airbus A330-200 acquired by Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has landed at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), today.

In April last year, NAC had signed a purchase agreement with the United States-based AAR Corporation to buy two Airbus 330-200 series wide-body aircraft worth $209.6 million. Nepal is expected to receive the second Airbus by August.

AAR Corporation is providing the aircraft to NAC in partnership with German Capital and Hi-Fly Airlines.

The addition of 274-seater wide-body aircraft into the fleet of Nepal Airlines is expected to be a milestone in the country’s tourism industry as it will help Nepal Airlines — the national flag carrier — to expand its international flight destinations.

NAC plans to start the first commercial flight with the new Airbus A330-200 aircraft to Dubai on August 1 and gradually to other popular destinations. Currently, NAC is conducting international flights through two narrow-body Airbus aircraft and one Boeing 757 to nine international destinations.