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.

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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.

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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.

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Airlines

Air India Rolls Out A350s for Delhi-New York JFK and Newark Routes

In a major development for North American travelers, Air India has announced the deployment of its state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft on two key routes: Delhi to New York and Delhi to Newark.

The service on the Delhi-New York route will commence on November 1, 2024, while the Delhi-Newark route will see its inaugural flight on January 2, 2025.

The introduction of the air india a350 will bring significant enhancements to Air India’s offerings, particularly with the launch of its Premium Economy class. air india retrofit This new class will feature 24 wide seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, providing passengers with extra legroom and a more comfortable flying experience.

Soon, Air India aircraft will feature onboard WiFi & all-new cabins: Click here

“We are encouraged by the positive guest feedback we have received from the domestic deployment of our air india a350 interior to offer our hero product on the Delhi-New York JFK and Delhi-Newark routes. This is a significant leap forward for our U.S. operations that also underscores our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Air India.

The A350’s Business class will set new standards with 28 private suites, each equipped with full-flat beds, direct aisle access, and personal wardrobes. Economy class will be configured to accommodate 264 passengers in a 3-4-3 layout. Across all cabins, passengers will enjoy the latest Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system, offering over 2,200 hours of content.

Air India’s First A350-900: Interior, Routes, &Inflight Features: Click here

This strategic deployment marks a notable enhancement in Air India’s U.S. operations, with 60% of its flights to the U.S. now featuring new or upgraded cabin interiors. The air india new international routes currently operates 51 weekly flights to five U.S. destinations: New York JFK, Newark, Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco.

The revamped cabins, advanced in-flight entertainment systems, and improved service standards represent air india wifi commitment to providing a superior travel experience. “We believe this enhanced offering will solidify Air India’s position as a leading carrier and attract travellers seeking a world-class flying experience between India and the United States,” the airline stated.

Seats on these flights are now available for booking on Air India’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents, ensuring that passengers can easily plan their journeys on these newly upgraded routes.