Meanwhile Nepal’s national carrier, Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) plans to modernize its international fleet with one A330-200 widebody and one A320, for which it signed an MOU at the Dubai Airshow. Nepal Airlines will deploy its new A330 on international services to Japan and using the aircraft will also connect Nepal to Europe with nonstop flights for the first time.
The two class, A330-200 will be deployed on routes to Europe and North Asia and Airbus says the two jets will play an instrumental role in developing Nepal’s tourism industry, especially around the country’s ‘Visit Nepal 2011’ tourism campaign to attract foreign tourists. (The manufacturer’s statement confirms that both aircraft will be delivered to Nepal Airlines by 2011.)
“Nepal is well known for offering a wide range of leisure, cultural and outdoor pursuits with plenty to explore. We have seen tremendous growth in tourism over recent years and we want to capitalise on the A330′s unique performance and range to offer direct services to our key long-haul markets and to develop new ones thanks to the efficiency of the A320,” says Sugat Ratna Kansakar, executive chairman of Nepal Airlines.
The dual-class A320 will be deployed on Nepal Airlines’ regional routes and will operate as far as the Middle East, as well as in South East Asia.
Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) was incorporated on July 1, 1958 through enactment of the Nepal Airlines Corporation Act. 2019. The airline currently flies to 10 international destinations and 30 spectacular domestic locations in the heart of the Himalayas.
Orders for the A330 family stand at more than 1,000.
Meanwhile, Comlux has ordered a third Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ), the corporate version of the A319, taking its total orders for Airbus corporate jets to 10 aircraft: four A318s, 3 Airbus ACJs, 2 A320 Prestiges and one A330-200 Prestige. Its Airbus orderbook makes Comlux the largest Airbus ACJ-family customer.
The company manages some of the aircraft for private customers and uses others to provide VVIP charters. Comlux will use its newly ordered ACJ for the latter purpose.
“With this acquisition, Fly Comlux confirms its leading position in the top-end charter business,” says Richard Gaona, president and CEO of Comlux The Aviation Group. “The aircraft will be equipped with CFM International CFM56-5 engines, will be outfitted in our completion centre in Indianapolis with a cabin designed by Comlux Creatives, and confirms our global strategy to be a player in almost all business aviation sectors.”
Comlux is displaying an Airbus ACJ for VVIP charters at the Dubai Airshow 2009.
“Comlux is one of the largest providers of VVIP charters at the top end of the market, a sector that continues to have good demand today,” comments Airbus’ Leahy.
Airbus says its ACJ family ― comprising the A318 Elite, ACJ and A320 Prestige ― has the widest and tallest cabin in its class, delivering almost twice the cabin-width of the largest traditional business jets from other manufacturers. The Airbus ACJ Family is complemented by VIP versions of the company’s widebodies.
More than 160 Airbus corporate jets have been sold worldwide, including more than 100 A318 Elites, ACJs and A320 Prestiges, plus around 50 VIP and government widebodies.
In another Airbus deal announced at the Dubai Airshow, Sanaa-based Yemenia, the official carrier of the state of Yemen, has signed an MOU for 10 A320-family jets.
Yemenia will configure its A320s in a two-class configuration, with seating for 12 passengers in Business Class and 138 in Economy. The carrier use the aircraft to enhance and expand services on regional, African, Indian and European routes.
“Our long term strategy is to grow with an integrated fleet of super efficient and reliable aircraft. The A320 shares operational and maintenance commonality with our existing Airbus’, and will bring added efficiencies. The A320 will also offer our passengers the best cabin comfort in its class,” says Saleh Alawaji, the Yemenia board member who signed the MOU for the airline, on behalf of Captain Abdulkhalek Al-Kadi, Yemenia’s chairman.
Yemenia’s fleet includes two A330-200s and three A310s. Sanaa- and Aden-based, Yemenia’s long-haul fleet operates to destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. During the 2007 Dubai Airshow, Yemenia placed an order with Airbus for 10 Airbus A350 XWBs.
Earlier in this year’s Dubai Airshow, Ethiopian Airlines converted a previously signed MOU for 12 A350 XWBs into a firm order.
Related to this story:
- Spirit Airlines Signs MOU at Dubai Airshow for 45 A320neos and 30 A320s
- Aviation Capital Group Signs Order for 30 A320neos at Dubai Airshow
- Russia’s Transaero Signs Commitment for Four Airbus A380s
- Lufthansa Includes Two A380s in New Order for Seven Airbus Jets
- Yemenia Takes Delivery of Its First Airbus Aircraft
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