Kathmandu, April 7: The government has formed a committee to study the structural and managerial aspects of the national flag bearer Nepal Airlines Corporation (Nepal Airlines).
According to Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Sudan Kirati, a five-member committee has been formed under the chairmanship of former Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Dipendra Bahadur Chhetri. The members of the committee include Om Gurung (Captain), Tikaram Rai (Journalist), Pius Anand (Senior Chartered Accountant) and Sahara Neupane.
After studying the structural and managerial aspects of the corporation, the committee will prepare a detailed report and submit it to the ministry with recommendations. The corporation, which has reached a very weak financial situation, is carrying a debt burden of nearly Rs. 50 billion for the purchase of planes.
The corporation has not been able to achieve commercial success due to squeeze in market expansion and failure to come up with a business plan. International destination expansion and marketing has not been effective. Now, the corporation has two wide-body A330 and two narrow-body A320 aircraft for international flights. There are only two Twin Otter planes for domestic flights.