Nepal Airlines (RA, Kathmandu) has issued a Request for Proposals for the leasing out of its two MA-60s and three Y12E turboprops.

The Nepalese flag carrier is looking for dry-lease placements for the following aircraft:

  • MA-60 9N-AKQ (msn 1007) with a minimum monthly fixed lease rate of USD78,097 and a power-by-the-hour lease rate of either USD700 per flight cycle or USD563 per flight hour, whichever is higher,
  • MA-60 9N-AKR (msn 1008) with a minimum monthly fixed lease rate of USD69,980 and a PBH lease rate of either USD704 per flight cycle or USD564 per flight hour,
  • Y12E 9N-AKS (msn 26) with a minimum monthly fixed lease rate of USD29,416 and a PBH lease rate of either USD80 per flight cycle or USD112 per flight hour,
  • Y12E 9N-AKT (msn 27) with a minimum monthly fixed lease rate of USD32,886 and a PBH lease rate of either USD95 per flight cycle or USD141 per flight hour, and
  • Y12E 9N-AKV (msn 29) with a minimum monthly fixed lease rate of USD33,785 and a PBH lease rate of either USD101 per flight cycle or USD151 per flight hour.

The lease tenure is to be determined by the submitted bids, which are due by October 31, 2022. Nepal Airlines will also provide a wide range of spare parts and tools together with the aircraft. All five turboprops are in storage at Kathmandu airport, and are available for inspection on an "as-is, where-is" basis. Only airlines with a valid Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) and at least one aircraft in their in-house fleet are eligible to bid.

Nepal Airlines retired its Chinese-made turboprops in June 2020, citing high operational costs and low reliability. The aircraft, (including a fourth Y12E), were partially provided to Nepal as a gift and were partially financed via a soft loan from EXIM Bank of China. The process of replacing them with Western-made regional turboprops was initiated in March 2021. Following a change in management late last year, the new executives attempted to reverse the decision and reactivate the MA-60s and Y12Es, but this course of action was abandoned following yet another reshuffle in 2022.

The ch-aviation fleets module shows the state-owned carrier's regional fleet also comprises two DHC-6-300s. It also operates two A320-200s and two A330-200s.