The new incoming Airbus As 350 B3 series helicopter of Manang Air has obtained a registration of ‘9N-AOE’ from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to fly in the sky of Nepal. This is a factory made brand new helicopter purchase of Manang Air. The helicopter has been purchased straight from the Airbus factory in France by Manang Air.
With the new helicopter ‘9N-AOE’ Manang air aims to comeback in the aviation industry of Nepal and resume it services as previously before CAAN suspended its Air Operator Certificate (AOC). The carrier is also planning to welcome a second AS 350 B3 helicopter within few months of arrival of the brand new fleet.
The new helicopter is being transported via sea and land inside a container. after its arrival in Nepal the helicopter would be reassembled and made airworthy to fly back to skies. All the test flights and documentation have been made back in the manufacturer country.
The company’s Safety Manager, Raju Neupane, shared that they’re working to resume flights. They plan to bring one helicopter in February and two more by May, expecting the third within six months. The first helicopter from France is on the way, and negotiations for the second are ongoing. The cost for a new helicopter is estimated at Rs 460 million.
Manang Air, a helicopter company with two major accidents, plans to invest one billion rupees for a comeback. They aim to introduce Airbus AS 350 series helicopters by early of this year and restart operations by March. The CAAN suspended their license after two accidents.
Established 26 years ago, Manang Air faced tragedy in July when their helicopter crashed, killing six. Another crash occurred on October 14, 2023. CAAN temporarily suspended their flight license after the second accident involving the ‘9N-ANJ’ Callsign helicopter during the Lukla-Lobuche flight.
