A press statement issued on Thursday amidst a program organized to highlight qualities of Pilatus Porter said the Swiss-made single-engine aircraft are the most suitable for Nepalese terrain. The aircraft have been able to prove that they are one of safest and reliable single-engine aircraft that are currently in operation worldwide, said the release.
“The company intends to operate two units of Pilatus Porter PC-6/B2-H4 for a few years and then will purchase latest model of Twin Otter aircraft DHC-6-400 series aircraft from the year 2011,” said the release.
The airline will have Nepalgunj as its base and provide air services to many remote parts with the airports that can’t be used by bigger aircraft, said the press release. “The advantage of the single-engine aircraft operation is the Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) capability that is required for the small airfield located at high places.”
The main target and mission of Air Kasthamandap is to provide a very affordable service because the operating cost of the aircraft is much lower than those of twin otters and Dornier; so the fares will be much lower and safe also because the airline is acquiring aircraft directly from the manufacturer, said the release.
Speaking at the program, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Hisila Yami expressed the hope that the small single-engine aircraft will help to boost tourism and development activities in a country where accessibility to road is still low.
Minister Yami also said that despite stiff resistances coming from various quarters while taking decision to grant license to operate single-engine aircraft, the government took the decision after it was convinced with their safety records and utility for a mountainous country like Nepal.
Tourism and Civil Aviation secretary Ram Chandra Man Singh said operation of the aircraft will benefit people living in the rural areas of the country that has difficult topography.
Krishna Prasad Gyawali, chairman of the airline, committed that the airline will obey all the regulations issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal and assured that it will bring a new concept of in the domestic airlines industry by introducing a world-class service at affordable prices.
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