What we know about the 2 new ATR 72s of Yeti Airlines

The leading domestic air carrier Yeti Airlines has succeeded to add two more planes to its fleet as part of its service expansion. The two additional ‘ATR 72-500’ series aircrafts with Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) registration ‘9N-AOH’ and ‘9N-AOF’ landed at Tribhuvan International Airport at 5:20 and 5:30 PM on Thursday’s evening.

Both the aircrafts departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Bangladesh and flew directly to Kathmandu. The aircraft was flown by the crew pilots of Yeti Airlines in a ferry flight to Nepal. Capt. Bhaskar Pant, Capt. Nazir Seikh, Capt. Shiva Poudel and other crew members were involved in the ferry flight. Yeti Airlines brokered a deal with the UK-based AirStream International to purchase two planes from NovoAir.

The two aircraft that obtained registration of ‘9N-AOF’ and ‘9N-AOH’ are the aircrafts with ATR Manufacturer Serial No. MSN. 805 and MSN. 816 respectively. Both the aircraft belonged to NovoAir, a private domestic carrier of Bangladesh before being purchased by Yeti Airlines.

The aircraft with MSN. 805 made its first Maiden flight in Nov 20, 2008. The aircraft is 15 years and 2 months old today. The aircraft was first operated by Kingfisher in India until 2010. Then the aircraft was operated by BQB Lineas Aereas in Uruguay till 2015. From 2015 to 2024, it has been operated by NovoAir in Bangladesh and now it is destined to fly in Nepali sky from 2024.

The aircraft with MSN. 816 made its first Maiden flight in April 22, 2010. The aircraft is 13 years and 7 months old today. The aircraft was first operated by Fly540 in Kenya until 2010. Then the aircraft was operated by BQB Lineas Aereas in Uruguay till 2015. From 2016 to 2024, it has been operated by NovoAir in Bangladesh and now it is destined to fly in Nepali sky from 2024.

NovoAir had previously announced the sale of three ATR planes, and later, two more were added, making a total of five ATR planes in the sales lineup. The announcement of the sale of ATR planes with Manufacturer Serial Number (MSN) 636, 687, 597, 805, and 816 was made in November 2023.

A CAAN regulation states that a carrier cannot purchase an aircraft older than 15 years to fly in Nepal. Both the aircraft were less than 15 years of age when Yeti Airlines first brokered to purchase the two aircraft.

The recent development resulted the operation of large bridges, highways, and railway connectivity in Bangladesh, leading to a decrease in domestic air travel business. NovoAir commenced its flights in the Bangladeshi airspace in 2013 and has since purchased a total of seven ATR planes, including ATR 72 500 and 600 series, all through AirStream.