KATHMANDU, July 24: The Saurya Airlines aircraft that crashed at the Tribhuvan International Airport on Wednesday had been in service for 21 years and 4 months. The Bombardier CRJ 200 series aircraft, built in Montreal, Canada, had a varied ownership history.

Initially purchased by Atlantic Coast Airlines of America in May 2003, it was later acquired by Independence Air in August 2004. After serving with Independence Air until June 2007, the aircraft was sold to Fly Arik Air of Nigeria. It was subsequently bought by South African Express in April 2008, where it flew for about a decade.

In January 2017, the aircraft was leased by American company AeroLiz and then purchased by Saurya Airlines in March 2017. It had been operating under Saurya Airlines for 6 years, with the callsign 9N-AAME.

The aircraft was involved in an accident on Thursday while on a flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara Airport for engine testing, resulting in the tragic loss of 18 lives.

 
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