KATHMANDU, AUGUST 26
As if four aircraft to service international flights were not woefully small number for a national flag carrier, Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) may soon be operating in the international sector with just two planes.
While one of its wide-body aircraft with a call-sign 9N-ALY has remained grounded for maintenance in Italy for a 'C-Check', another wide-body 9N-ALZ is set to depart for the same destination on Wednesday. Although the corporation expects the 9N-ALY to return to Nepal by August-end, should it take longer, the corporation will be forced to operate its international flights at 50 per cent capacity.
With the NAC facing regular issues and delays in maintaining its fleet for a smooth operation, stakeholders have called for immediate action to reform the airline's management, reduce political interference and increase its fleet size.
"Also, with the tourism and festive season around the corner, the perennial problems encountered by NAC will further disrupt and affect its revenue, market share and outlook, prompting passengers to opt for other airlines over the national flag carrier," Ramesh Thapa, former president of Nepal Association of Travel and Tour Agents (NATTA), told THT.
At present, NAC holds just 14 per cent of the total international flights to and from the county. The loss of market and revenue is directly linked with NAC's small fleet.
"While the NAC had been conducting two flights to New Delhi per day, a number of foreign airline companies are offering thrice as many flights in the same route," Thapa explained.
Another narrow-body 9N-AKW has been 'grounded' here since Saturday due to technical issues, with travel plans of many passengers thrown into disarray. NAC has announced that the aircraft will resume operation from 11:00am tomorrow as spare parts have arrived from Miami and repairs are completed.
"Some reports alleged that the management was aware of the issue with the aircraft but delayed necessary repairs. It is ultimately the government and NAC's management that have to ensure operations run smoothly, but little efforts have gone into it so far. Rather, it seems that the NAC is overrun by political intervention while the concerned ministry is busy changing leadership, hampering progress," Thapa said.
NAC issued a press statement today countering various recent news reports.
As per the NAC, the A330 aircraft 9N-ALY is still undergoing repairs at the contracted repair company Atitech SPA, Italy as per the work rules of 'C-Check' - a detailed inspection of the aircraft.
"While the repair company had expected the c-check to be completed on August 25, the delivery had to be pushed back due to some technical glitches. The repair work of the aircraft is expected to be completed within August," Ramesh Poudel, spokesperson for NAC, said.
In addition, another A330 aircraft of the corporation, 9N-ALZ is set to leave for its c-check on August 28 from Kathmandu via Dubai to the MRO located in Italy. The aircraft is expected to return by October.
"While the 9N-ALY is expected to return to operation by the end of the month, another aircraft leaving for its c-check will arrive by October," Poudel informed, adding that the airline's operation will return to normal within October and not affect the upcoming festive and tourist seasons drastically.
These issues with NAC keep recurring. Thus, even the passengers who would like to fly with NAC have started opting for other airlines, stakeholders claim.
"It has been repeatedly suggested to operate NAC in public-private partnership to enhance its service and quality. Also, the fleet size needs to be doubled for effective management and growth. Years and years of mismanagement has eroded the public's trust, with NAC's image taking a nosedive both within and outside the country. It is high time the government takes necessary measures to recover ground," Thapa opined.
In addition, the country is losing billions of dollars in air tickets and cargo freights every year due to NAC's limited fleet, public distrust and deteriorating market share.
"Taking into account the number of tourists who visit Nepal by air, the amount of cargo flown in and out of the country, and NAC's market share of less than 20 per cent, the country is incurring a loss of over $3 billions," a former NAC board member told THT.
According to him, NAC has always remained undercapitalised, which is also weighing it down.
"The corporation has failed to procure new aircraft for domestic operations, which has further contracted its market share within the country," he added.
At present, only one Twin Otter of NAC operates domestic operations. Although the NAC had issued a tender to procure three STOL aircraft, it is still under review.
"We are currently operating one aircraft for domestic operations and conducting around two flights a week to various underserved remote areas," Poudel said, adding that the management was working diligently to resolve various issues facing the national flag carrier.
