An wide-body aircraft of Nepal Airlines Corporation’s preparing to fly to Doha, faced issues on Magh 1 and was grounded. The wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft, scheduled to depart at 11:00 PM, encountered problems with its flight control sensor. After the plane did not take off and the passengers were left stranded.
The airline did not immediately inform passengers about the situation. Only after more than two hours, around 1:00 AM, did passengers learn about the cancellation. The airline accommodated 276 passengers in a hotel overnight.
Upon returning to Kathmandu from Doha on Monday, the same aircraft was scheduled to fly to Narita, Japan, on Tuesday night. However, after the plane was grounded, the Narita flight was also canceled.
Previously, on Poush 23, another Nepal Airlines aircraft, bound for Bangkok, was grounded just moment before departure when a snag was found. One hundred and fifty-two passengers were accommodated in a hotel overnight, and the airline arranged for an alternative flight to reach the destination.
According to sources, in the past year, the airline has faced 11 instances of planes being grounded due to various issues. Passengers often find themselves stranded, unable to reach their destinations on time, eroding their trust in the airline.
Concerns have been raised about the airline’s maintenance practices and the frequency of grounding. The airline has, in some cases, been accused of neglecting regular maintenance, leading to frequent grounding incidents.
The airline reportedly faces financial challenges, with a daily loss of around NPR 1.5 crores when a plane is grounded. The process of purchasing new planes has been initiated, and the airline is preparing to take a loan of NPR 35 billion for this purpose.
Despite these challenges, the Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation (MoCTA), Sudhan Kirati, has expressed the government’s intention to acquire more aircraft and expand international flights. However, critics argue that the airline should focus on improving its existing fleet and addressing maintenance issues before considering new acquisitions.
The grounding of planes not only impacts the airline’s revenue but also raises questions about its reliability at the international level. The recent incidents have brought attention to the need for better management, maintenance, and coordination within the airline.
