Government ignores NAC concerns about Chinese planes

Kathmandu March 3-Disregarding Nepal Airlines Corporation’s protest, the government appears set to clear the deck for the purchase of four Chinese aircraft before Prime Minister KP Oli leaves for Beijing later this month, apparently under pressure from the Chinese government.

Ministry for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation today moved a proposal to speed up acquisition of a fleet of four Chinese aircraft a Modern Ark 60 and three Y12E that have not been certified by any international aviation body, including the Federal Aviation Administration.

According to a high-level ministry official, the government must accept all four aircraft at any cost before the PM embarks on China visit on March 20. “There is an immense pressure from all sides, including the Chinese mission, to acquire all aircraft as per the loan and grant agreement worth Rs 6.67 billion signed with the Chinese government,” he said.