KATHMANDU, Aug 29: Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has encountered operational setbacks as its international flight capacity has been reduced to three aircraft for the past two and a half months. The narrow-body 9N AKX aircraft of NAC has remained grounded since June 20 due to engine damage resulting from a bird collision.
The grounding of the aircraft is attributed to challenges in both installing a new engine and conducting necessary repairs. Ramesh Paudel, spokesperson for Nepal Airlines, assured that the necessary work is nearing completion and expects the aircraft to resume operations within the next couple of days.
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Paudel acknowledged the challenges posed by the public procurement process, which has contributed to the delay in addressing the issue.
However, the corporation's employees are voicing concerns about the prolonged grounding, pointing fingers at management negligence as a leading factor. A senior official within the corporation expressed skepticism regarding the extended timeframe it takes for the national flag-carrier to manage an engine issue. The official characterized this delay as a significant oversight, reflecting negatively on both the organization and the country.
This is not the first time the NAC has faced such challenges. A similar incident occurred two years ago when a narrow-body aircraft had to be grounded for over two months due to engine repairs. Following that incident, the corporation resorted to leasing engines to keep the aircraft operational.
As part of its international flight operations, NAC currently maintains a fleet of four aircraft. With one aircraft grounded, the remaining three continue to serve the designated destinations, albeit at reduced capacity.
