Wanted Aircraft
As it celebrates 49 th anniversary, the national flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) is in dire need of more aircraft
By A CORRESPONDENT
Even as demands for air-seats have increased exponentially, the national flag carrier NAC is unable to meet them because of lack of aircraft. As it is operating in seven international sectors with only two Boeings, it is unable to spread the wings.
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NAC aircraft : Not enough |
"The NAC is in a very challenging situation at present. The NAC has international market, it has necessary skilled manpower, other infrastructures are there but it is unable to provide best services due to inadequacy of aircraft," said Gautam Das Shrestha, general manager of NAC.
According to Shrestha, this is hurting the regularity and credibility of the airlines in a fiercely competitive market.
At a program organized to celebrate the 49 th anniversary of NAC, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prithvi Subba Gurung also underscored the need to purchase new aircraft for the NAC.
Interestingly, even employees of NAC have come together demanding that the airlines purchase new aircraft.
"The process of adding aircraft to its fleet has reached final stage and we are hopeful of its success," said Shrestha.
The NAC currently operates in international sectors such as New Delhi, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Osaka, Dubai and Kuala Lumpur. Owing to lack of enough aircraft, the NAC has recently suspended its operations to sectors such as Mumbai, Bangalore and Singapore and has turned its attention on lucrative sectors such as Dubai, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.
The airline has improved its financial position as well. In the current fiscal year, it has outstanding bank overdraft loan of Rs 762.2 million – down from Rs 1.44 billion a year ago.
In the ten months of the current fiscal year 2006/07, the NAC made a tremendous improvement in terms of passenger and cargo growth. Although it targeted to serve 245,913 passengers in international sector during the period, it actually served 266,467 passengers. This is an increment of 8 percent against the target.
Likewise, although it targeted to carry 1646 ton of cargo, it actually carried 1930 ton of cargo during the period, which is an increment of 15 percent against the target.
The NAC has also been earning income by carrying out ground handling for not only its 27 flights but also 42 flights of other international airlines every week.
Apart from international sector, NAC continues to provide air service linking remote districts. It operates domestic flights in Biratnagar, Lukla, Bhojpur, Tumlingtar, Lamidanda, Rumjatar, Taplejung, Phaplu, Thamkharka, Kagildanda, Ramechhap, Bharatpur, Pokhara, Jomsom, Manang, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Simikot, Surkhet, Dolpa, Jumla, Rukum, Salle, Dang, Chaurjhari, Talcha, Dhangadhi, Bajura, Bajhang, Sanfebagar, Silgadi and Doti.
FNJ Delegation Discuss With Mahara
A delegation of Federation of Nepalese Journalists led by its president Bishnu Nisthuri met with Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Information and Communication Minister and spokesperson of the government, on Tuesday (June 26).
The FNJ delegation discussed about the safety and security of journalists, pressure and hindrances on media organizations, and the obstacles faced by journalists while collecting news. According to a press release by FNJ, they demanded that the government media be freed from government's control. The also demanded a policy to make local advertisements easily available to local media; and make arrangements so that a certain amount collected from publication of advertisements will be deposited in journalist's welfare fund.
The FNJ asked the Minister to implement recommendations made by the High Level Media Commission. The journalists also sought legal action against those who repress press and wanted the government to guarantee a free and safe environment to collect the news of the election. The press release adds that minister Mahara assured them of cooperation. "He assured that he will take decisions and take initiative to improve the situation according to the demands and will implement working journalist's act and act related to information rights as soon as possible."
The press release says that Mahara also assured that he will take measures to guarantee safety of journalists and will gradually implement the suggestions of the report submitted by media commission. "He informed that a policy to guarantee local advertisements to local media will be introduced in the coming budget. Saying that the government media cannot be freed from government's control immediately, he said, the government wants to discuss on the ways to make it self-reliant," the release said.
