Kathmandu: Prime Minister Sushila Karki has directed the authorities of Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) to expedite the return and operation of the A-320 aircraft engine currently stationed in Israel. This call to action is aimed at resuming the aircraft’s operations without further delay.
According to National News Agency Nepal, during a meeting held at Singha Durbar with the NAC board of directors and management officials, Prime Minister Karki expressed her disapproval of the current situation where the aircraft’s engine remains unused in Israel, while NAC continues to incur costs by operating with a rented engine. She emphasized the necessity of addressing these irregularities promptly.
“Our engine is merely sitting idle while the cost of renting continues to escalate,” Prime Minister Karki remarked, highlighting the financial inefficiencies of the current arrangement. She urged officials to avoid procedural justifications that hinder progress and stressed the importance of ensuring that publicly funded institutions remain fully operational.
Prime Minister Karki further encouraged the NAC officials to make decisions that prioritize the interests of the nation, its citizens, and the institution itself. Her remarks underscored the need for decisive action in resolving the ongoing issue with the aircraft engine.
The meeting was attended by key government and NAC officials, including Finance Minister Rameshwar Khanal, Chief Secretary Ekanarayan Aryal, Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Hari Prasad Mainali, NAC Chair Bikram Rai, and Acting General Manager Jankaraj Kalakheti, among others.