Nepal Airlines (RA, Kathmandu) is restoring domestic operations out of Kathmandu after a three-month hiatus, initially on two routes. The Nepalese flag carrier resumed flights to Bhojpur on March 25, and plans to establish regular flights Taplejung starting April 5, the government-owned newspaper The Rising Nepal reported. Neither airport sees any other scheduled traffic.
The airline is resuming flights on some previously suspended routes after reportedly fixing one of the two DHC-6-300s it currently operates.
Nepalese media reported in December 2024 that DHC-6-300 9N-ABU (msn 814) was grounded after reaching the maximum allowable number of engine cycles, while 9N-ABT (msn 812) has been stored in Kathmandu since June 2024 due to mechanical problems with the engines.
ch-aviation asked Nepal Airlines for comment on the current condition of its Twin Otters but it was not immediately available.
The ch-aviation schedules module indicates Nepal Airlines normally operates nine routes within Nepal, from Kathmandu to Bhairahawa, Dang, Phaplu, Bhojpur, and Taplejung, and from Nepalgunj to Bajura, Dolpa, Jumla, and Simikot.
Aviation minister Badri Prasad Pandey recently revealed that Nepal Airlines could lease additional aircraft, according to the newspaper Republica. Preparations for this are underway, he added, emphasising the need for ten narrowbody and ten widebody aircraft.
Apart from its two DHC-6-300s, Nepal Airlines operates two A320-200s and two A330-200s. It also has five Chinese-manufactured aircraft in storage, two MA-60s and three Y12s, and has been trying to lease or sell them.
