Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, March 6:

The Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation’s (RNAC) Board has been advised to add a 757 Boeing to its fleet soon. The recommendation was made in a recent meeting by a panel formed for the purpose of such advice.

However, the recommendation is expected to materialise once the Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation secretary gives the green light, Mohan Khanal, managing director of RNAC, said. Since the secretary is out of station, things will be finalised once he returns.

“If the RNAC is allowed to start the proceedings of hiring or purchasing an aircraft soon, we should be able to start new operations within three months, instead of having to wait for a longer period,” Khanal said. Khanal added, however, that the Board has not decided on whether to purchase an additional aircraft or hire it on dry or wet lease.

Once the third aircraft is added to RNAC’s current fleet, it is expected to start operations in new sectors like Doha and Riyadh, as well as fly to other sectors where the national flag carrier is already in operation. “The additional aircraft will strengthen RNAC and it will cater to the increasing passenger volume,” Khanal said.

Apart from offering the recommendation on adding an extra aircraft, the committee has also called on the RNAC authorities to chalk out a long-term business plan for the overall development of the corporation.