BB Airways plans to commence international flights using two Airbus A320 aircraft in the first phase within six months, . BB Airways, which recently acquired the ‘NOC’, has advanced the aircraft procurement process.
Bhawan Bhatta, former president of the Non-Resident Nepali (NRN) Association, has received permission from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to bring in aircraft, thus advancing the procurement process.
Bhawan Bhatta, chairman, informed that BB Airways has advanced the procurement process for purchasing two Airbus A320 series aircraft in the first phase. “We plan to commence international flights from Nepal within six months.” He also mentioned that it takes at least three years from ordering to delivery in the manufacturing companies, so they have started to bring aircraft through the second company for sale.
BB Airways, having acquired the NOC, will now receive the Air Operators Certificate (AOC) for flights after acquiring aircraft. After the flight, BB Airways will be among the three airlines in Nepal to operate international flights, along with Himalayan Airlines and Nepal Airlines Corporation.
BB Airways plans to invest approximately 7 billion Nepali Rupees for Airbus A320 and an estimated 10 billion Nepali Rupees in the first phase, including aircraft to be leased on rent. CAAN has allowed the company to bring three Airbus A320 aircraft. Bhatt also mentioned that they plan to purchase two aircraft and lease one more on rent.
According to the plan to operate international flights using five aircraft, they have submitted a letter to the authority for AOC renewal.
Established in 2068 B.S., BB Airways commenced international flights from Kathmandu on Bhadra 28, 2069 B.S. They had leased Boeing 757-200 aircraft from Cambodia’s Tonle Sap Airlines, but the flights were discontinued in Kartik. “In the past, there were problems when I didn’t pay much attention, now I am investing to make BB Airways successful in Nepal,” said Chairman Bhatta.
BB Airways’ AOC had been suspended due to not being able to sustain flights even in the first three months. The airline has now renewed its operating permit from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation two years ago.
BB Airways had renewed the license by changing the type of flight (aircraft) in the first license. Initially, the license was taken to operate international flights by bringing Boeing, but BB Airways renewed the license for international airline operation by bringing Airbus aircraft.
Along with the permit for airline operation, BB Airways had initiated the process to renew the suspended AOC. They had submitted an application to the authority to renew the AOC along with the renewal of the airline operation license. BB Airways had passed through the pre-application, application, and documentation phases. The business-financial management plan of BB Airways was approved during the documentation phase.
Recently, the company estimated that 30% would be equity and 70% would be loans. After receiving permission to fly (AOC) by bringing the aircraft, Chairman Bhatta informed that work is underway to fly to more than 7 cities in India from Nepal in the first phase. The process of flying to New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and other cities in India has been advanced.
“In the first phase, we will also take market initiatives in Malaysia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and other Middle Eastern countries,” Chairman Bhatta said. “Due to expensive air tickets for Nepalis and tourists coming to Nepal, if Nepali airlines become strong, packages will become cheaper,” said Chairman Bhatta.
After BB Airways succeeds in the aviation business, preparations are also underway to make it a public airline within a few years by issuing ordinary shares to the general public. “We will also offer ordinary shares (IPO), but initially, we are working to stabilize flights and gain trust,” Chairman Bhatta said.
After being involved in various businesses in Japan for a long time, Bhatta’s group has also invested in various sectors in Nepal. They have sold Dhulikhel Mountain Resort located in Kavre some time ago. Bhatta has investments in companies such as Economic Daily, BB Trust, BB Holdings, and United Brewery. Bhatta also has a license for the Tamakoshi-3 project in Dolakha under BB Holdings’ ownership.
