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Nepal Airlines

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Nepal Arilines Airlines
File:Nepal airlines new title.JPG
IATA ICAO Call sign
RA RNA NEPAL
Founded1958
HubsTribhuvan International Airport
Secondary hubsPokhara Airport
Fleet size10
Destinations38 (8 international)
Parent companyGovernment Of Nepal
HeadquartersKathmandu
Websitehttp://www.royalnepal-airlines.com/


Nepal Airlines formerly known as "Royal Nepal Airlines" is an airline based in Kathmandu, Nepal. It is the government owned national flag-carrier airline and operates more than 30 domestic and 7 international routes. Its main base is Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu.


History

The airline was established in July 1958 as Nepal Airlines Corporation (RNAC) with one Douglas DC-3. At the beginning its services was limited to Simara, Pokhara, Biratnagar and Indian cities like Patna, Calcutta and Delhi. Soon after, a turboprop Fokker F27 was added to the airline's fleet. [1]

Twin Otter and Pilatus Porter aircraft joined the airline's fleet in 1970, allowing access to the more remote and mountainous regions of the Kingdom. After extension of the runway of Kathmandu in 1972, RNA acquired Hawker Siddeley HS-748 and Boeing 727. Two Boeing 757s gradually replaced the airline's Boeing 727s.

In 2003 and 2004 it was reported that the Nepal Government had decided to sell off 49% of its stake in Nepal Airlines to the private sector and hand over management control, while retaining a 51% share. This would provide the investment to get the airline out of the red. Operations have been discontinued to Bangalore, Bombay/Mumbai, Calcutta/Kolkata, Frankfurt, Karachi and London Gatwick. [2] [3]

The former chairman of the virtually bankrupt Nepal Airlines was jailed for massive corruption in February 2005. [4]

Destinations

As of July 2007, Nepal Airlines operates scheduled passenger flights to the following destinations:

Domestic

International

East Asia

Southeast Asia

South Asia

Middle East

Incidents and accidents

2007 Goat Sacrifice

On 2 September 2007 the airline confirmed that they had sacrificed two goats as an offering to Akash Bhairab, the Hindu God of the sky, whose image is featured on their aircraft. The sacrifice followed technical problems to one of the Boeing 757 aircraft in the fleet, and took place on the runway in front of the affected aircraft. The 757 later flew from Kathmandu to Hong Kong without problems.[6]

Fleet

As of August 2006 the Nepal Airlines fleet includes [7] :

The Boeing 757s are registered as 9N-ACA and 9N-ACB. The airline operates DeHavilland Twin Otters in its domestic flights.

Previously operated

Nepal Airlines operated the following aircraft [1] :

References

  1. ^ a b Nepal Airlines retrieved 18 November 2006
  2. ^ The Rising Nepal 10 March 2003
  3. ^ Tribune India 12 November 2004
  4. ^ The Age 9 February 2005
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Aviation Safety Network retrieved 18 November 2006
  6. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6979292.stm
  7. ^ Flight International, 3-9 October 2006


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