Kathmandu. Bhuwan Bhatta-led BB Airways, a non-resident Nepali citizen, has repeatedly announced that it will resume its air service company to operate international flights, but it has not resumed flights even after 12 years.
In 2012, BB Airways brought a Boeing 757-20 ({TAG_CLOSE_span_32}} aircraft on lease from Cambodia’s Tonle Sap Company and flew from Kathmandu to Malaysia for about three months. The company’s flight stopped after it failed to pay the plane fare. And since then, despite repeated media claims that it will fly, the aircraft has been closed due to lack of aircraft.
Two new airlines are in the news in the domestic air service market. The financial strength of both the companies is yet to be revealed. However, both the proposed air service companies have brought to light that preparations have been started with the aim of flying in the domestic sky.
Danfe Air:
Danfe Air has been operating its office in Sinamangal for almost three years. It has also obtained a flight license from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal( CAAN). Although it has announced to buy the aircraft, it has not been able to ensure financial resources to buy the aircraft.
On the other hand, there is a shortage of ATR, Dash at Turbo Prop aircraft, which are already in use in the world market, so it is difficult to start the service by bringing old aircraft.
ISMT Air:
ISMT Group, which operates educational institutions, has registered a company to fly aircraft under the Nepal Jet brand. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has also initiated an initiative to obtain a flying license.
Since both these companies are in the early stages, it will be difficult to predict the future of these companies right now. However, the air service business requires a huge investment, sufficient technical manpower.
At least Rs 10 billion investment is required in the initial phase to operate the airline to fly to domestic destinations. Due to the limitations of Nepal’s air service market, there is no adequacy of technical manpower related to air service and skilled manpower capable of flying.
Tribhuvan International Airport’s lone runway is also being obstructed by high air pollution in The Kathmandu Valley, dense clouds due to climate change and heavy rain. It has become common for every flight to be delayed by at least 25 minutes to one-and-a-half hours due to the failure of the air service company to fly the aircraft on regular time.
Dipendra Gurung’s cultivation of lies:
Dipendra Gurung, a non-resident Nepali, falsely announced that he would fly international flights from the UK under the Himalayan Jet brand. Without purchasing an aircraft to fly, he also worked on announcing the destination for the flight, planning the future and appointing an official ticket seller in Nepal. He also invited his parents to visit Boeing’s headquarters to make the false propaganda credible, he issued a press release.
The press release was just news of Boeing’s visit to the office, there was no agreement to buy the aircraft, there was no announcement. Initially, there were apprehensions about his ambitious plans as the businessman had a readymade garment retail shop background at Durbar Marg.
Himalayan Jet’s website says it will still fly with 18 aircraft in the initial phase and will fly to different destinations around the world. The website has pictures of various events unrelated to air service. There’s a lot, but who had the contract to buy the plane, when did it happen? There is no information about how many aircraft will be purchased.
