National 6 (Spotlight Weekly)

Spreading Its Wings

Yeti Airlines adds a new aircraft in its fleet

By A CORRESPONDENT

At a time when the country’s air seat demands continue to increase, Yeti Airlines has introduced its second SAAB 340B aircraft this week to add additional flights in different routes.

With the regular disruption of highways due to blockades and landslides, the demand on domestic air carriers has been rising of late. As such, the introduction of new aircraft by Yeti Airlines, will provide a welcome relief to commuters.

With addition of this 36-seater modern aircraft, the airline now has the largest seat production capacity in domestic aviation in the country and offers the widest network of internal flights. In the remote areas, the airline operates scheduled flights to such places as Jumla, Dolpo, Simikot, Taplejung, Manang, Rumjatar etc. The airline carries the largest volume of cargo to remote airfields of the country thus serving the rural population dwelling there. The airline has been operating scheduled flights to various tourist destinations, such as Lukla and Meghauly.

On the trunk routes, the airline is currently operating flights from Kathmandu to Biratnagar, Pokhara, Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj. After the commercial flight operation by the second SAAB 340B shortly, frequency of flights to Biratnagar, Pokhara, Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj will be increased. While scheduled flights to Bhadrapur from Kathmandu will also begin.

SAAB 340B aircraft is a Swedish-made, regional commuter aircraft with a general passenger cabin configuration of 33-36 seats. The aircraft has a pair of two General Electric engines CT7 9B (hot and high) and has a maximum cruising speed of 283 nautical miles per hour. The maximum take off weight and maximum landing weight of the aircraft are: 29,000lbs and 28,500 lbs respectively. The maximum operating altitude of the aircraft is 25,000 feet.

Vijaya Shrestha, the general manager of the airlines, said, “It is a matter of great satisfaction for us that passengers and agents have all liked the first SAAB 340B aircraft. The second aircraft is the same version aircraft with the same facilities. We have received patronage, support and cooperation from various quarters for which we would like to take this opportunity to extend our warm thanks to all.”

”As has been our long term commitment, we aim to provide improved air services by ensuring on-time departures, more prompt and friendly response to the passengers' needs and generally enhancing overall service standard of our airlines,” said Shrestha.

Child Recruitment To Be War Crime

The Special Court for Sierra Leone recently ruled that the recruitment or use of children under age 15 in hostilities is a war crime under customary international law. This landmark ruling may result in the first ever conviction for the recruitment of child soldiers. “UNICEF welcomes the Court’s decision as a bold effort to hold perpetrators accountable for serious crimes against children,” stated a media release issued by the UNICEF.

The decision by the Appeals Chamber came in response to an assertion by one of the accused that he was immune from prosecution because the recruitment or use of children under 15 in hostilities was not established as a war crime during the period of the Special Court’s authority dating back to 1996. The Appeals Chamber dismissed the motion by a majority of 3-1.

Responding to the Court’s decision, UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy said, “This ruling is an important milestone because it holds perpetrators criminally responsible. It should set off alarm bells to armed groups around the world and act as a deterrent to future recruitment and use of children in hostilities.”

The Court’s ruling comes at a critical time when both girls and boys continue to be recruited to fight as soldiers in adult wars. Tens of thousands of child soldiers across the globe are forced to commit atrocities or are used as cooks, porters and for sexual purposes. An estimated 6000 children were demobilized at the end of the civil war in Sierra Leone. The Special Court for Sierra Leone was jointly created by the Government of Sierra Leone and the United Nations in January 2002. It is mandated to try those who bear the greatest responsibility for serious violations of international humanitarian law and Sierra Leonean law committed in the country since 30 November 1996.

Meanwhile, Suomi Sakai, Representative of UNICEF to Nepal, said, “We have a lot of concern on the increasing reports of children being used in the conflict in Nepal.” Sakai, added, “In the past couple of months alone there have been daily reports of children being abducted from schools. We have seen many reports about children being used as combatants, many portrayed bearing arms. This is aside from the reports of children being used for other conflict-related activities like scouting, sabotage, guides, couriers or porters.”