Airbus Updates No.1063

Nepal Airlines firms up two Airbus A320 with Sharklets

Unique performance capabilities for high altitude airport operations

1 JULY 2013 PRESS RELEASE

Nepal’s national flag carrier, Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has signed a firm order for two Airbus A320 aircraft equipped with Sharklet fuel saving wing tip devices, following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreed in April.

The A320 was chosen for its unique performance capability required for high altitude airport operations and its flexibility that enables it to be deployed on a wide variety of routes. Equipped with Sharklets to deliver unbeatable economics and up to four percent reduction in fuel burn, the aircraft will be the cornerstone of NAC’s modernised fleet.

“Nepal is a landlocked nation, and aviation is our window to the world. It welcome explorers, trekkers and pleasure seekers, cultural and ecological visitors and its importance cannot be over stated for our country. Our new A320s with Sharklets will help us to increase capacity, capitalise on the growth in tourism,” said Madan Kharel, Managing Director, Nepal Airlines Corporation.

For a landlocked nation like Nepal, our agile and high performance A320 Family aircraft are a lifeline and economic driver for prosperity. On top, our Sharklets deliver up to four per cent savings in fuel burn, which is a great advantage for any carrier,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “We are delighted to welcome Nepal Airlines as our newest customer.”

Nepal Airlines currently flies to four international destinations and 25 spectacular domestic locations in the heart of the Himalayas. The new A320s are fully equipped with latest Required Navigation Performance (RNP) technologies, allowing the aircraft to fly precisely along predefined routes using state-of-the-art onboard navigation systems. This is particularly benefitial for operations at high altitude airports which are constrained by mountains such as the carrier’s main base in Kathmandu.

The A320 Family, which includes the A318, A319, A320 and A321, is recognised as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. Nearly 9,500 Airbus A320 Family aircraft have been sold to more than 380 customers and operators worldwide, making it the world’s best selling commercial jetliner ever.