Royal Nepal Airlines
Encyclopedia
Nepal Airlines is the flag carrier of Nepal
. Its main base is Tribhuvan International Airport
, Kathmandu. The airline was established in July 1958 as Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation (RNAC). The airlines first aircraft was a single Douglas DC-3
, used to serve domestic routes and a handful of destinations in India
. The airline acquired its first jet aircraft, Boeing 727
's, in 1972. In 2004 the Nepal Government decided to sell off 49% of its stake in Nepal Airlines to the private sector. Presently, the airline operates a fleet of seven aircraft and flies to 39 destinations; seven of which are international.
. At the beginning its services were limited to Simara
, Pokhara
, Biratnagar and Indian cities like Patna
, Calcutta and Delhi
. In 1961 Pilatus Porter STOL
aircraft joined the fleet and in 1963 12-seater Chinese Fong Shou-2 Harvester's were brought into service, opening up the Kingdom's more remote routes. In 1966 a turboprop Fokker F27
was added to the airline's fleet. In 1970 RNAC acquired its first Hawker Siddley HS-748 followed by Twin Otter's in 1971 and Boeing 727
's in 1972. Two Boeing 757
s gradually replaced the airline's Boeing 727
s in 1987.
In 2004 it was reported that the Nepal Government had decided to sell off 49% of its stake in Nepal Airlines, to the private sector, and hand over management control; whilst retaining a 51% share. This would provide the investment to get the airline out of significant debt.
The former chairman of Nepal Airlines was jailed for corruption in February 2005.
In September 2007 the airline confirmed that it had sacrificed two goats to appease a Hindu god; following technical problems with one of its aircraft. Nepal Airlines said the animals were slaughtered in front of the plane—a Boeing 757
—at Tribhuvan International Airport
. The offering was made to Akash Bhairab, the Hindu god of sky protection, whose symbol is seen on the company's aircraft. The airline said that after Sunday's ceremony the plane successfully completed a flight to Hong Kong. "The snag in the plane has now been fixed and the aircraft has resumed its flights"; senior airline official Raju KC was quoted as saying. The company did not say what the problem was, but reports in local media had blamed an electrical fault.
At the 2009 Dubai Airshow, Nepal Airlines signed an MOU
with Airbus
to acquire one A330-200 and one A320-200. The A330 will be used on flights to Japan and Europe, and the A320 will operate flights to the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
The Nepal Airlines fleet includes the following aircraft (as of 4 March 2011):
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
. Its main base is Tribhuvan International Airport
Tribhuvan International Airport
Tribhuvan International Airport is an international airport situated in Kathmandu, Nepal.Tribhuvan is the sole international airport in Nepal. There are two terminals, one domestic and one international...
, Kathmandu. The airline was established in July 1958 as Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation (RNAC). The airlines first aircraft was a single Douglas DC-3
Douglas DC-3
The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
, used to serve domestic routes and a handful of destinations in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The airline acquired its first jet aircraft, Boeing 727
Boeing 727
The Boeing 727 is a mid-size, narrow-body, three-engine, T-tailed commercial jet airliner, manufactured by Boeing. The Boeing 727 first flew in 1963, and for over a decade more were built per year than any other jet airliner. When production ended in 1984 a total of 1,832 aircraft had been produced...
's, in 1972. In 2004 the Nepal Government decided to sell off 49% of its stake in Nepal Airlines to the private sector. Presently, the airline operates a fleet of seven aircraft and flies to 39 destinations; seven of which are international.
History
The airline was established in July 1958 as Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation with one Douglas DC-3Douglas DC-3
The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
. At the beginning its services were limited to Simara
Simara
Simara may refer to:*Simara, in Sarlahi District, Nepal*Simara Bhawanipur, in Rautahat District, Nepal*Pipara Simara, in Bara District, Nepal*Simara Airport, Nepal*Simara Island, Philippines...
, Pokhara
Pokhara
Pokhara Sub-Metropolitan City is the second largest city of Nepal. Pokhara is city of close to 350,000 inhabitants in central Nepal located at 28.25°N, 83.99°E, which is the centre of the country from east to west or from north to south, 198 km west of Kathmandu or 90 km west of Mugling, and...
, Biratnagar and Indian cities like Patna
Patna
Paṭnā , is the capital of the Indian state of Bihar and the second largest city in Eastern India . Patna is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world...
, Calcutta and Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
. In 1961 Pilatus Porter STOL
STOL
STOL is an acronym for short take-off and landing, a term used to describe aircraft with very short runway requirements.-Definitions:There is no one accepted definition of STOL and many different definitions have been used by different authorities and nations at various times and for a myriad of...
aircraft joined the fleet and in 1963 12-seater Chinese Fong Shou-2 Harvester's were brought into service, opening up the Kingdom's more remote routes. In 1966 a turboprop Fokker F27
Fokker F27
The Fokker F27 Friendship is a turboprop airliner designed and built by the Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker.-Design and development:Design of the Fokker F27 started in the 1950s as a replacement to the successful Douglas DC-3 airliner...
was added to the airline's fleet. In 1970 RNAC acquired its first Hawker Siddley HS-748 followed by Twin Otter's in 1971 and Boeing 727
Boeing 727
The Boeing 727 is a mid-size, narrow-body, three-engine, T-tailed commercial jet airliner, manufactured by Boeing. The Boeing 727 first flew in 1963, and for over a decade more were built per year than any other jet airliner. When production ended in 1984 a total of 1,832 aircraft had been produced...
's in 1972. Two Boeing 757
Boeing 757
The Boeing 757 is a mid-size, narrow-body twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Passenger versions of the twinjet have a capacity of 186 to 289 persons and a maximum range of , depending on variant and cabin configuration...
s gradually replaced the airline's Boeing 727
Boeing 727
The Boeing 727 is a mid-size, narrow-body, three-engine, T-tailed commercial jet airliner, manufactured by Boeing. The Boeing 727 first flew in 1963, and for over a decade more were built per year than any other jet airliner. When production ended in 1984 a total of 1,832 aircraft had been produced...
s in 1987.
In 2004 it was reported that the Nepal Government had decided to sell off 49% of its stake in Nepal Airlines, to the private sector, and hand over management control; whilst retaining a 51% share. This would provide the investment to get the airline out of significant debt.
The former chairman of Nepal Airlines was jailed for corruption in February 2005.
In September 2007 the airline confirmed that it had sacrificed two goats to appease a Hindu god; following technical problems with one of its aircraft. Nepal Airlines said the animals were slaughtered in front of the plane—a Boeing 757
Boeing 757
The Boeing 757 is a mid-size, narrow-body twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Passenger versions of the twinjet have a capacity of 186 to 289 persons and a maximum range of , depending on variant and cabin configuration...
—at Tribhuvan International Airport
Tribhuvan International Airport
Tribhuvan International Airport is an international airport situated in Kathmandu, Nepal.Tribhuvan is the sole international airport in Nepal. There are two terminals, one domestic and one international...
. The offering was made to Akash Bhairab, the Hindu god of sky protection, whose symbol is seen on the company's aircraft. The airline said that after Sunday's ceremony the plane successfully completed a flight to Hong Kong. "The snag in the plane has now been fixed and the aircraft has resumed its flights"; senior airline official Raju KC was quoted as saying. The company did not say what the problem was, but reports in local media had blamed an electrical fault.
At the 2009 Dubai Airshow, Nepal Airlines signed an MOU
Memorandum of understanding
A memorandum of understanding is a document describing a bilateral or multilateral agreement between parties. It expresses a convergence of will between the parties, indicating an intended common line of action. It is often used in cases where parties either do not imply a legal commitment or in...
with Airbus
Airbus
Airbus SAS is an aircraft manufacturing subsidiary of EADS, a European aerospace company. Based in Blagnac, France, surburb of Toulouse, and with significant activity across Europe, the company produces around half of the world's jet airliners....
to acquire one A330-200 and one A320-200. The A330 will be used on flights to Japan and Europe, and the A320 will operate flights to the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
Fleet
| Aircraft | In Fleet | Orders | Options | Passengers | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | Y | Total | ||||
| Boeing 757-200 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 174 | 190 |
| DHC-6 Twin Otter De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter The DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian 19-passenger STOL utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada and currently produced by Viking Air. The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL abilities and high rate of climb have made it a successful cargo, regional passenger airliner and MEDEVAC... |
5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 19 |
| Total | 7 | 0 | 0 | |||
Historical fleet
| Aircraft | In service | Exit from service |
|---|---|---|
| Douglas DC-3 Douglas DC-3 The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made... |
1958 | 1973 |
| Pilatus Porter | 1961 | 1998 |
| Fong Shou-2 Harvester | 1963 | 1965 |
| Fokker F27 Friendship Fokker F27 The Fokker F27 Friendship is a turboprop airliner designed and built by the Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker.-Design and development:Design of the Fokker F27 started in the 1950s as a replacement to the successful Douglas DC-3 airliner... |
1966 | 1970 |
| Hawker Siddley HS-748 | 1970 | 1996 |
| Boeing 727 Boeing 727 The Boeing 727 is a mid-size, narrow-body, three-engine, T-tailed commercial jet airliner, manufactured by Boeing. The Boeing 727 first flew in 1963, and for over a decade more were built per year than any other jet airliner. When production ended in 1984 a total of 1,832 aircraft had been produced... |
1972 | 1993 |
Incidents and accidents
- 5 November 1960 - RNA Douglas C-47A-80-DLDouglas DC-3The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
(9N-AAD) crashed on take-off at Bhairawa Airport and caught fire. All four crew members were killed. There were no passengers on board. - 1 August 1962 - RNA Douglas C-47A-DLDouglas DC-3The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
(9N-AAH) en route from Kathmandu-Gaucher Airport to New DelhiNew DelhiNew Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
, radio contact was lost and the aircraft crashed near Tulachan Dhuri. The wreckage was found on 9 August 1962 on a mountain top at 11,200 feet. All four crew and six passengers were killed. - 12 July 1969 - RNA Douglas DC-3DDouglas DC-3The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
(9N-AAP) collided with a tree while flying over a cloud covered ridge at 7,300 feet at Hitauda, Nepal. All four crew and 31 passengers were killed. - 25 January 1970 - RNA Fokker F27-200Fokker F27The Fokker F27 Friendship is a turboprop airliner designed and built by the Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker.-Design and development:Design of the Fokker F27 started in the 1950s as a replacement to the successful Douglas DC-3 airliner...
(9N-AAR) after a flight from Kathmandu, was caught in severe thunderstorms with turbulence and down draughts on final approach to Delhi (Palam AirportIndira Gandhi International AirportIndira Gandhi International Airport is the primary international airport of the National Capital Region of Delhi, India, situated in West Delhi, 16 km southwest of New Delhi city centre. Named after Indira Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of India, it is the busiest airport in India in...
). The pilot couldn't control the aircraft and crashed short of the runway. Of the five crew and 18 passengers only one crew member was killed. - 10 June 1973 - RNA De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin OtterDe Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin OtterThe DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian 19-passenger STOL utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada and currently produced by Viking Air. The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL abilities and high rate of climb have made it a successful cargo, regional passenger airliner and MEDEVAC...
on a flight from Biratnagar to Kathmandu, was taken over by three hijackers of Nepali CongressNepali CongressThe Nepali Congress is a Nepalese political party. Nepali Congress led the 1950 Democratic Movement which successfully ended the Rana dynasty and allowed commoners to take part in the polity. It again led a democratic movement in 1990, in partnership with leftist forces, to end monarchy and...
party who demanded money and escaped after landing in BiharBiharBihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
, IndiaIndiaIndia , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. None of the three crew and 18 passengers were injured. - 15 October 1973 - RNA De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin OtterThe DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian 19-passenger STOL utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada and currently produced by Viking Air. The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL abilities and high rate of climb have made it a successful cargo, regional passenger airliner and MEDEVAC...
(9N-ABG) was damaged beyond repair at Lukla AirportLukla Airport-Incidents and accidents:*On 15 October 1973, on landing at the airport, a Royal Nepal Airlines DHC-6 Twin Otter 300, registration 9N-ABG, was damaged beyond repair...
. the three crew and three passengers were unhurt. - 22 December 1984 - RNA De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin OtterThe DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian 19-passenger STOL utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada and currently produced by Viking Air. The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL abilities and high rate of climb have made it a successful cargo, regional passenger airliner and MEDEVAC...
(9N-ABH) crashed off course near Bhojpur, NepalBhojpur, NepalBhojpur is a town in Eastern Nepal. It is the district headquarters of Bhojpur district, a hilly/mountainous district in Kosi Zone. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 5823 people living in 1199 households....
. Bad weather and pilot error could have been the cause. All three crew were killed as well as 12 of the 20 passengers. - 9 June 1991 - RNA De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin OtterThe DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian 19-passenger STOL utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada and currently produced by Viking Air. The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL abilities and high rate of climb have made it a successful cargo, regional passenger airliner and MEDEVAC...
(9N-ABA), after a flight from Kathmandu, crashed on landing at Lukla AirportLukla Airport-Incidents and accidents:*On 15 October 1973, on landing at the airport, a Royal Nepal Airlines DHC-6 Twin Otter 300, registration 9N-ABG, was damaged beyond repair...
following an unstabilized approach in bad weather. All three crew and 14 passengers were killed. - 5 July 1992 - RNA De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin OtterThe DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian 19-passenger STOL utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada and currently produced by Viking Air. The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL abilities and high rate of climb have made it a successful cargo, regional passenger airliner and MEDEVAC...
(9N-ABB), lost directional control on takeoff from Jumla AirportJumla AirportJumla Airport is an airport serving Jumla, the capital of the Jumla District in the Karnali Zone in Nepal.-Facilities:The airport resides at an elevation of above mean sea level. It has one asphalt paved runway designated 09/27 which measures ....
on a flight to Surkhet. The aircraft ran off the runway and struck the airport perimeter fencePerimeter fenceA perimeter fence is a structure that circles the perimeter of an area to prevent access. These fences are frequently made out of single vertical metal bars connected at the top and bottom with a horizontal bar. They often have spikes on the top to prevent climbing. Residential perimeter fences are...
. None of the three crew were injured and there were no passengers on board. - 17 January 1995 - RNA De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin OtterThe DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian 19-passenger STOL utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada and currently produced by Viking Air. The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL abilities and high rate of climb have made it a successful cargo, regional passenger airliner and MEDEVAC...
(9N-ABI), flight RA133 from Kathmandu to Rumjatar, had problems getting airborne at Tribhuvan International AirportTribhuvan International AirportTribhuvan International Airport is an international airport situated in Kathmandu, Nepal.Tribhuvan is the sole international airport in Nepal. There are two terminals, one domestic and one international...
, struck the airfield perimeter fence and plunged into fields. Of three crew and 21 passengers, one crew member and one passenger were killed. - 25 April 1996 - RNA BAe 748 Series 2BAvro 748The Hawker Siddeley HS 748 is a medium-sized turboprop airliner originally designed by the British firm Avro in the late 1950s as a replacement for the now-aged DC-3s then in widespread service as feederliners. Avro concentrated on performance, notably for STOL operations, and found a dedicated...
(9N-ABR) overran the runway at Meghauli AirportMeghauli AirportMeghauli Airport is an airport serving Meghauli, a village in the Chitwan district of the Narayani zone in southern Nepal.-Facilities:The airport resides at an elevation of above mean sea level. It has one runway which is in length....
, after a flight from Kathmandu, when landing in rain on the grass airstrip. The aircraft ran across some ditches, causing the nosegear to collapse. None of the 4 crew and 27 passengers were injured. - 27 July 2000 - RNA De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin OtterThe DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian 19-passenger STOL utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada and currently produced by Viking Air. The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL abilities and high rate of climb have made it a successful cargo, regional passenger airliner and MEDEVAC...
(9N-ABP), on a flight from Bajhang to DhangadhiDhangadhiDhangadhi is a city in Far western Nepal bordering India. It is the capital of Kailali District in the province of Seti.Located in the Far Western Region of Nepal on the border of India, the city of Dhangadhi is one of the entry points into the country for people traveling from India.It was...
, collided with trees on the 4,300 feet Jarayakhali hill on the Churia mountain range before catching fire. All 3 crew and 22 passengers were killed. - 19 April 2010 - RNA De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin OtterThe DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian 19-passenger STOL utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada and currently produced by Viking Air. The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL abilities and high rate of climb have made it a successful cargo, regional passenger airliner and MEDEVAC...
(9N-ABX) on a flight from KathmanduTribhuvan International AirportTribhuvan International Airport is an international airport situated in Kathmandu, Nepal.Tribhuvan is the sole international airport in Nepal. There are two terminals, one domestic and one international...
(KTM) on a domestic flight to Phaplu AirportPhaplu Airport-External links:* at YouTube* at YouTube* at YouTube...
(PPL) with Kangel Danda as designated alternate airport. The aircraft was unable to land at Phaplu due to poor weather. The crew decided to divert to their alternate, the remote mountain airstrip at Kangel Danda. The airplane touched down on its nose gear first and caused some minor damage to the nose section.