New Chinese aircraft lands at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, Nepal

KATHMANDU, Nov 3: Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has brought another aircraft from China on Monday. 

An 18-seater Harbin aircraft of model no Y12e E landed at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) at 1:50 pm today.  

The twin engine turbo prop utility plane is provided by China to Nepal on grant as per an agreement to provide six aircraft on grant and concessional loan. The Harbin Y12e is part of the loan and grant agreement worth Rs 6.67 billion for the procurement of six aircraft -- two MA 60s and four 19-seater Harbin Y12-E. The MA 60 provided on grant has already been delivered and is flying in different domestic routes.

Though China Aviation Industry Corporation formally handed over the Y12e in July, NAC could not bring the plane as the manufacturer said it was unable to supply an English-speaking instructor pilot along with the plane.

The Chinese team along with instructor pilot is arriving in the aircraft. “Once the aircraft arrives, we will soon begin the procedure to obtain Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), a high ranking official of NAC had said.

NAC is planning to begin commercial operation through Harbin Y12e within the next 10 days if the test flights go well. The aircraft will be flying to the remote areas of western region.

The aircraft had already received the call sign 9N-AKS from CAAN. NAC has named the aircraft Koili.

Earlier China had sent an instructor pilot but as he could not speak and understand English, he was sent back so the plane delivery was delayed.

An NAC official requesting anonymity said, “We are hopeful there will be no hassles in documentation this time.”

NAC management had decided not to bring the aircraft without an English speaking instructor pilot as the aircraft without an instructor cannot be flown. As the NAC pilots do not have training to fly Chinese aircraft, Nepal had to depend on China for instructor pilot. Harbin Y12-E is a new type of aircraft for Nepal.

- Source:   http://www.myrepublica.com