KATHMANDU, Nepal- Nepal Airlines has confirmed an order for two new Airbus A320 aircraft.
The national carrier signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreed with Airbus in April 2013, and has now confirmed the deal, which is worth US$176.6 million at list prices. The aircraft will become the first A320s in Nepal Airlines’ fleet, and will come equipped with ‘Sharklets’, the wing-tip extensions that are designed to save fuel.
The new A320s are fully equipped with latest Required Navigation Performance (RNP) technologies, allowing the aircraft to fly precisely along predefined routes using state-of-the-art onboard navigation systems. This is particularly benefitial for operations at high altitude airports which are constrained by mountains such as the carrier’s main base in Kathmandu.
“Nepal is a landlocked nation and aviation is our window to the world. It welcomes explorers, trekkers and pleasure seekers, cultural and ecological visitors and its importance cannot be over stated for our country. Our new A320s with Sharklets will help us to increase capacity, capitalise on the growth in tourism,” said the airline’s managing director, Madan Kharel.
Nepal Airlines currently operates a fleet of five aircraft – two Boeing 757s and three De Havilland Twin Otters, It also has outstanding orders for two MA-60 aircraft from China’s Xi’an Aircraft Industrial Corporation.
Nepal Airlines currently flies to four international destinations and 25 domestic locations in the heart of the Himalayas.
