Plans afoot to buy two more airplanes for NAC: Minister Yami
Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Hisila Yami on Sunday said that government has plans to buy at least two more airplanes to upgrade the dwindling fleet size of Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC), or, if not, take them on lease.
Speaking at an interaction organized by Reporters' Club today, Minister Yami said that the final decision in this regard would be made within the next three months.
"The commission formed to decide on whether to purchase airplanes or take them on lease is soon coming up with its report," she informed, hinting that final decision on the matter would be made on the recommendation by it.
Yami also said if the commission recommends purchasing airplanes then the government would also decide on whether to buy Boeing or Airbus entirely on the recommendation made by it on the same.
She, however, admitted that since it would take at least two years to purchase the airplanes, the government is planning to take airplanes on lease for the time being.
"At least two airplanes would be taken on lease," she said, and added that whether the airplanes are taken on lease or purchased, "strict transparency would be maintained throughout and no discrepancies will be allowed".
She added that the government wants to end once and for all the problem that ails the national flag carrier - cancellation of flights due to small size of its fleet.
She also said that NAC would from now on be run in an entirely new manner by adhering to principles of public-private partnership and pledged to turn it into a profit-making enterprise.
"The government has embraced the public-private partnership policy for the development of the tourism industry and has already earmarked Rs 280 million to build necessary infrastructure for it," Yami said.
NAC (formerly Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation) often hogged the headlines during the 90s due to corruption related scandals involving big names like former prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Sher Bahadur Deuba including many cabinet minister and senior government officials.
NAC currently has two Boeing 757s for international flights and few twin otters for domestic flights in its faltering fleet. nepalnews.com Oct 12 08
