KATHMANDU, Jan 8: Manang Air, a helicopter company that has been inactive due to two major accidents, is set to invest one billion rupees for its revival. The company aims to introduce Airbus AS 350 series helicopters by 2024, with plans to restart operations by March.
Raju Neupane, the company's security manager, said that the process is underway to resume flights. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has suspended the flight license following two helicopter accidents occurring within three months.
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"We plan to restart commercial service by bringing one helicopter on February 15 and two more by May. The third helicopter is expected within six months," Manager Neupane disclosed.
He also mentioned that the process of bringing the first helicopter from France to Nepal has already commenced, with ongoing negotiations for the second helicopter with various companies. The cost of acquiring a new helicopter is estimated at Rs 460 million.
Established 26 years ago, Manang Air faced a tragic incident in July when its 9N-MV Callsign helicopter crashed while en route from Surke in Solukhumbu to Kathmandu, resulting in the death of six people, including the pilot. As the investigation into the accident was still ongoing, another helicopter from Manang Air crashed on October 14, 2023.
Following the second accident involving the 9N-ANJ Callsign helicopter during the Lukla-Lobuche flight, CAAN temporarily suspended the company's flight license (AOC).
