KATHMANDU, August 11: Chopper operator Shree Airlines launched its commercial passenger service using fixed-wing aircraft from Friday.

The airline operated flights to Bhairahawa, Dhangadi and Nepalgunj from Kathmandu using 50-seater Bombardier CRJ-200 with 9N-AMA callsign.

The airline received Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Authority Nepal (CAAN) - the aviation sector regulator - on Thursday. It had operated its proving flight on last Friday.

Talking to Republica, Anil Manandhar, corporate manager of Shree Airlines, said that the airline would launch flights to Bhadrapur and Biratnagar very soon. “We are currently operating a flight each to Bhairahawa, Dhangadi and Nepalgunj. We will operate flight to two new destinations and also increase flight frequency after our fixed wing service is formally inaugurated,” Manandhar added.

All three flights operated on Friday had around 50 percent seat occupancy, according to Manandhar.

Shree Airlines has acquired three aircraft -- two 50-seater Bombardier CRJ 200s and one 70-seater CRJ-700 -- for commercial passenger service. “As the flight time taken by our aircraft is shorter compared to other airlines, we are hopeful that passengers will be attracted to our service,” Manandhar said, adding: “Our aircraft are faster and more comfortable than aircraft of other competing airlines.”

According to Manandhar Bombardier aircraft reach Nepalgunj in just 50 minutes while it takes around 70 minutes to reach Dhangadi.

“We will launch promotional airfare to attract passengers very soon,” he added.
Now that Nepal has been removed from Significant Safety Concern (SSC) list of International Civil Aviation Organization, Manandhar said Shree Airlines was preparing to launch international helicopter service in the near future.

Shree Airlines is the largest helicopter operator in the country with a fleet of Mi-17 and AS 350 B3e.

 
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