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

Qatar Airways Adds Direct Toronto-Amritsar Flights with Stopover in Doha

Qatar Airways has made travel easier for passengers by announcing a new three-weekly non-stop service between Toronto, Canada, and Doha, Qatar, starting on December 11, 2024.

This new route provides seamless connectivity for travelers heading to Amritsar, offering a convenient alternative for the Punjabi diaspora in Toronto who wish to avoid the hassles of transiting through Delhi airport.

Boeing Faces New Setbacks as 777X Delays Extend and scraps B767-300F

In a joint press release, Anantdeep Singh Dhillon, FlyAmritsar Initiative North America Convener, and Sameep Singh Gumtala, Global Convener, highlighted that this new route addresses the long-standing demand for better travel options to Punjab.

With this service, Amritsar will now have ten weekly flights to Canada via Doha, making the journey simpler and more comfortable for travelers who previously had to deal with long road trips, multiple layovers, and extended check-ins.

Flight Schedule and Connectivity

The qatar air line from Amritsar will depart at 4:10 a.m. (local time) and arrive in Doha at 6:05 a.m. (local time). After a layover of 3 hours and 45 minutes, passengers will board the qatar airways flight from Doha to Toronto at 9:50 a.m. (local time) on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, landing in Toronto the same day at 3:55 p.m. (local time).

China Airlines eyes new aircraft order for 777X and A350-1000

On the return journey, the qatar airlines will depart from Toronto at 8:00 p.m. (local time) and arrive in Doha at 4:30 p.m. (local time) the following day. From there, passengers will catch the connecting flight to Amritsar at 8:40 p.m. (local time), reaching their destination by 2:40 a.m. (local time). The total travel time qatar seatmap for the journey is approximately 20 hours and 10 minutes.

This new route is a significant relief for travelers who have often faced the challenges of long road journeys to Delhi, lengthy layovers, and multiple check-ins. By streamlining the travel process, qatar Airways ensures a smoother and faster journey, enhancing the overall travel experience for passengers traveling between Canada and Punjab.