Airlines

Nepal to sell five Chinese airplanes after grounding them two years ago

Nepal Airlines has chosen to sell five of its Chinese-made aircraft after suffering significant losses and finding no buyers.

According to reports, the planes were becoming a financial burden for the national flag carrier, which was already drowning in debt, because they spent more time on the ground than in the air. Nepal Airlines eventually decided it didn’t want the albatross around its neck after the directive of the Ministry of Finance eight years after purchasing a batch of Chinese aircraft it had hoped to fly on underserved mountain routes.

Boeing to shift 150 finance and IT jobs to India from the US(Opens in a new browser tab)

In addition to problems with maintenance and a shortage of replacement parts, Nepal Airlines was unable to locate pilots to operate the aircraft, therefore it was pointless to keep them. Nepal Airlines has set a deadline of October 31 for bids. Top Nepal Airlines executives claim they don’t anticipate seeing possible lessors.

After purchasing the Chinese aircraft, the first batch that entered in 2014 experienced difficulties. The need to sell these aircraft at a loss price has now arisen as a result of the losses continuing to escalate. At the time, China gave a grant and offered a concessional loan in the amount of 408 million Chinese Yuan, which is equal to 6.67 billion Nepali rupees.

Top 10 most expensive private jets in the world.(Opens in a new browser tab)

A grant totaling 180 million yuan (or 2.94 billion Nepali rupees) of the overall aid funds was used to purchase one MA60 and one Y12e aircraft. With a soft loan from China’s EXIM Bank, the other planes were purchased for 228 million yuan (3.72 billion Nepali rupees). Soon after their arrival, the NAC board recognized that operating an aircraft was more expensive than buying and bringing one to Nepal.

The NAC board decided to stop operating the aircraft in July 2020, and they have since been stored at Tribhuwan International Airport. The Ministry of Finance has started paying back the interest on the loans for the planes even though they are no longer in use due to expensive operationalization and being unfit for fly.

Source:

Airlines

Air India Express Aircraft Engine Part Falls Outside Delhi Airport; DGCA Orders Probe

Air India Express flight skids off runway while landing at Kochi airport

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an inquiry following reports that metal fragments were discovered at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport after an Air India Express flight made an emergency landing on Monday evening.

The emergency landing was prompted by a detected engine fault, but fortunately, the landing was executed safely without any injuries to the passengers.

The situation began when crew members of the Air India Express flight reported an engine issue, leading to the emergency landing. The DGCA has confirmed that a thorough investigation is underway and has directed that the aircraft undergo a comprehensive safety inspection.

Air India Initiates Construction of MRO Facility at Bengaluru Airport

The discovery of metal debris outside the airport has raised concerns, prompting the DGCA to probe whether these fragments are linked to the aircraft involved in the emergency landing. Authorities are particularly focused on whether the metal pieces, which were found near the airport, originated from the same Air India Express flight that experienced engine trouble.

While preliminary assessments suggest that the debris could be a broken blade from an aircraft engine, the exact source remains unconfirmed. The airline has yet to verify if the metal fragments are from their aircraft.

Airbus Beluga to Deliver Spare Parts for Stranded British Airways A350

The Delhi Police, working in conjunction with the DGCA, have initiated their own investigation to determine the origin of the metal pieces. A technical team is set to analyze whether the fragments are associated with the aircraft in question. As the investigation continues, a case has been filed with the airport authority to address the matter.