Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has arrived in Kathmandu after repairing the engine of its narrow-body A320 (call sign 9N-AKX) aircraft that has been parked in Israel for a long time.
The aircraft was brought to Kathmandu on January 19, 2026 after long negotiations with Israel-based Israel Aerospace Industry.
The engine was repaired as per the ‘repair and restoration’ agreement signed between the corporation and the Israeli company Aerospace Industry. According to the corporation, the corporation has been successful in waiving the cost of engine rent and engine installation for 12 months with the initiative of Executive Chairman Amrit Man Shrestha and top management.
The aircraft arrived in Kathmandu from Tel Aviv of Israel via Dubai on a regular flight. With this, the airlines’ four international aircraft (two narrow-body and two wide-body) have been made available for regular flights.
Last two years engine repair history and flight interruptions
Nepal Airlines Corporation’s international flights, especially narrow-body aircraft, have been grounded due to frequent engine problems in the last two years.TAG_OPEN_p_62
| {{TAG_OPEN_strong_55}Date / Duration | ship (call sign) | Problems & Repair Location | Duration of flight suspension (approximate) |
| End of 2023 | 9N-AKX (Lumbini) | Sent for repair after a problem was observed with the left engine. | More than 7 months |
| mid-2024 | 9N-AKB (Everest) | Sent to Qatar for repairs after engine problems were detected. | About 45 days |
| 2025 (last time) | 9N-AKX | Grounded for a long time due to engine maintenance and rental disputes in Israel. | About 9 months |
When only TAG_OPEN_p_61 one narrow-body aircraft was grounded, the corporation’s flights to important destinations like Delhi, Mumbai and Dubai were cut by about 40 percent. It is estimated that the corporation has lost billions of rupees in revenue in the last two years due to lack of engine fare and flights.
