KATHMANDU, Sept 4: The Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) aircraft with the call-sign 9N-ALY, which was sent to Italy for a detailed maintenance (C-check) two months ago, is scheduled to be brought to Kathmandu within three days.

Ramesh Poudel, spokesperson for the NAC, said that the aircraft is expected to be released by September first week. Poudel said that the aircraft, which was sent to Italy for a C-check in mid-June, is scheduled to be bought in Kathmandu within the first week of September. It is expected to arrive within the next three days in Kathmandu, he said.

NAC had sent the aircraft to Italy's Atitech SPA for a C-check without taking permission from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). Following that, CAAN suspended NAC’s Executive Chairman Ubaraj Adhikari from the position of Accountable Manager.

NAC is currently without a wide-body aircraft, as the aircraft, which was expected to complete its C-check within a month, has not yet arrived even after two months. As a result, it has led to the suspension of its long-haul routes.

Additionally, another wide-body aircraft with call-sign NAC's 9N-ALZ has been in Italy for a week for its C-check.

Badri Prasad Pandey, the minister for culture, tourism and civil aviation has sought explanation from the NAC chairman regarding the delay in aircraft repairs.