Kathmandu, July 1

With two new wide-body Airbus aircraft being added to its fleet, Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) expects its stake in international passenger movement to grow by at least five per cent.

The national flag carrier currently has almost 10 per cent share in international passenger movement among the more than 24 foreign airline companies operating through Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).

NAC had received its first long-range 274-seater aircraft — Airbus A330-200 — last week. Similarly, the second Airbus is expected to arrive in Kathmandu on August 26.

“Having two wide-body Airbus aircraft itself is a glorious moment for us. Once these two planes start flying, our share in international passenger movement will certainly exceed 15 per cent,” said Sugat Ratna Kansakar, general manager of NAC.

According to him, the two Airbus planes will not only help improve Nepal Airlines’ presence in the international flights, but will also help boost tourism in Nepal.

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. “As per international practice, we need to operate the new Airbus aircraft in existing destinations for a few months before going to new destinations. Within a few months, we plan to start direct flights to Japan and Saudi Arabia,” said Kansakar.

Though it could be challenging for NAC to operate these new aircraft to new destinations with full-seat occupancy for the first few months, Kansakar said that NAC will enhance branding and promotion of the national flag carrier so that these aircraft fly with good seat occupancy.

Currently, NAC is conducting international flights through two narrow-body Airbus aircraft and one Boeing 757 to nine international destinations.