November 21, 2022
1 min read

Nepal Airlines to sell off troublesome Chinese planes

The Nepali daily said state-owned airlines have been eager to get rid of the non-flying planes, but bureaucratic hassles forced it to hold on to them even as losses mounted….reports Asian Lite News

State-owned Nepal Airlines has made a decision to sell Chinese planes and spare parts, which are plagued by breakdowns and a lack of pilots.

Right after they arrived, the three 17-seater and two 56-seater aircraft had turned into “the most expensive white elephants in the carrier’s history, The Kathmandu Post reported citing officials.

The five condemned planes are parked at the remote parking bay on the eastern side of Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, the report said.

The Nepali daily said state-owned airlines have been eager to get rid of the non-flying planes, but bureaucratic hassles forced it to hold on to them even as losses mounted.

Back in September, Nepal Airlines put the Chinese planes up for lease with October 31 deadline for bidders. After there were no bids, the deadline was extended until November 16.

Nepal Airlines spokesperson Archana Khadka said they didn’t get a single bid during the extended time either. “Now the management has decided to sell them off.”

Khadka said they would issue a notice to appoint an international assessor to determine a fair market value of the planes, after Sunday’s general elections.

“It may take two to three weeks to appoint the assessor. Based on the assessor’s report, we will float a global tender to sell the planes,” Khadka was quoted as saying by The Kathmandu Post.

He added that it would take at least two months to complete the process.

After the signing of the agreement in 2012 under the grant and concessional loan aid with the Chinese side, Nepal received the first batch of planes in 2014.

However, the delivery of the rest of the Chinese aircraft was stalled for years. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Lower turnout in Nepal general elections

Previous Story

Cultural shows replace sound of bullets in Kashmir

Next Story

IFFI off to a dazzling start in Goa

Latest from -Top News

Beijing Targets Hong Kong Democracy

Latest annual UN report highlighted the growing and sophisticated trend of cross-border repression targeting human rights activists…reports Asian Lite News The United Nations, in its latest report on reprisals, revealed that two

‘1945 INA trial gave Congress huge impetus’

Congress’ freedom movement against British rule got a tremendous impetus from the 1945 showpiece trial of three officers of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army (INA), says CPI(M) leader Subhashini Ali

Minorities in Bangladesh Live in Fear

Minorities are insecure in Bangladesh, be they ethnic or religious. The Bengali-speaking Hindu minorities have been facing attacks regularly since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government … writes Rahul Sharma The

Pakistan, Afghanistan Seek Calm

The Doha talks are seen as a crucial step in de-escalating hostilities, addressing security concerns, and preventing further civilian casualties along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Nepal, India reach understanding on water resources

The meeting decided to extend the term and mandate of

Nepal seeks India’s help in Ayurveda research

The prime minister sought cooperation from India’s Ministry of Ayush