The company recently acquired one fixed-wing aircraft and is planning to acquire five more in its fleet within this year. Avia Club, which started service about 15 years ago, currently operates a fleet of six aircraft.[break]
“We’ve decided to increase our seat capacity as the number of tourists enjoying ultralight flights is increasing with each passing year,” Prabin Gauchan, manager of Avia Club, said.
A total of 3,500 tourists enjoyed ultralight flights in 2011 - a rise of 25 percent as compared to figures of 2010.
Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) - the aviation sector regulator - had permitted Avia Club to add six aircraft last month.
“We’ve already acquired one new aircraft. We will be bringing five more aircraft within 2012,” Gauchan added.
Avia Club had approached CAAN for permission to add new aircraft in 2010.
“Helicopter operators and paragliding companies are also offering attractive packages in Pokhara. We felt we need to expand fleet if we are to stay in this competitive market,” added Gauchan. He also said the company had been failing to operate flight as per the demand due to limited aircraft.
The company operates up to 20 flights a day in peak tourist season. It is purchasing ultralight aircraft from Ukraine-based manufacturer Aerocraft. Feb-June and Sept-Nov are considered the best seasons for ultralight flights.
The new aircraft has the capacity to fly up to 15,000 feet and can operate up to 7 hours a day.
After expanding fleet, Avia Club plans to start operation from Bharatpur as well.
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