The ailing national flag carrier is going to get its first China-made aircraft on April 28.

Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) – that has remained with only one aircraft currently – has received a confirmed ‘delivery date’ from the Chinese authority that has confirmed arrival of first 58-seater Modern Ark 60 (MA60) on April 28. The company is dispatching other five aircraft by the end of October.

According to the agreement between Nepal and the northern neighbour on December 28, 2013 Nepal will acquire two aircraft – a 19-seater Harbin Y12E and 58-seater Modern Ark 60 (MA60) – on grant and three Harbin Y12E and a MA60 on concessional loan.

The NAC is planning to operate the new aircraft within the first week of May on trunk route, said NAC spokesperson Ram Hari Sharma.

Nepal will receive the second air craft a 19-seater Harbin Y12E on June 30 and another MA60 on September 30, he said, adding that Nepal will get remaining three Harbin Y12E on October 28. “The NAC is planning to reclaim its domestic market share after it gets the aircraft.”

This is the first time that NAC has been purchasing any new aircraft since it bought a twin otter in 1984.

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