January 28: Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) is preparing to operate flights to remote areas of Karnali Province from Surkhet soon. A team including the executive chairman of the NAC Yuvraj Adhikari discussed this issue with Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka.

During the discussion, Deputy Prime Minister Khadka asked to start flights from Surkhet to Jumla, Humla, Simikot, Talcha, Dolpa and other destinations of Karnali Province on priority basis. The executive chairman of the NAC said that preparations are being made for the flight from Surkhet.

"A committee has also been formed for operating flights to the remote areas," he said, adding, "We are working to connect various districts of Karnali Province to Surkhet through domestic flights.”

Deputy Prime Minister Khadka advised the NAC to proceed with a strategic plan to expand flights within the country and to various destinations in the world using all the available aircraft.

"The NAC should be able to make the maximum benefit by operating the currently available aircraft at full capacity," he said.

NAC currently has only two Twin-otter aircraft for operating flights in the domestic sector.

NAC is in the process of buying three Twin-otter planes for expanding its flights to remote areas. It is said the NAC is purchasing these aircraft with its internal resources.

The state-owned airliner recently called for tenders to purchase three aircraft.