How long will the airline fly like this?

But Nepal Airlines Corporation is completely different. That is why he is always at a loss. Because, the manager has no interest in exploiting the opportunity. Not for success, Hardam seems to be coming up with new solutions for the absurd. That's what happened now.

Among the four big ships of the corporation, the widebody 'Annapurna' has been stranded in Italy. Even after 60 days of being sent for 'C-Check', when will the repairs be completed? It is not clear when the plane will be returned. Moreover, there is a suspicion of irregularity in the tender process adopted at the last minute to do 'C-check'. Another Chinese competitor participating in the tender process has filed a complaint. After a briefing to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on July 7 that the aircraft would return by mid-July, the flight time of another widebody 'Makalu' was increased by 300 hours. As told to the Prime Minister, widebody Makalu was supposed to go for C-Check in the first week of July after the C-Check of 'Annapurna' was over.

However, since the first ship was not decided to return to Nepal, the second ship, which had to be taken for repair, has been put on a flight to Japan only. It is also being taken off the regular flight this week and sent to Italy for 'C-Check×'. Then both widebodies will be grounded. The time to have a 'C-Check' for a narrow body is approaching. Similarly, the fourth narrow-body ship 'Sagarmata', which is in regular flight between Bhadragol, has been grounded for at least three days.

The narrowbody 'Egyptian' was pulled from flight due to lack of equipment related to the hydraulic system. This is another negligence. A situation has arisen where the ship is grounded even though it is known in advance that this equipment needs to be replaced. Tourism Minister should seek an explanation from the corporation's leadership on such a matter after the ship which earns crores of rupees daily will be grounded.

The problem within the corporation is not only this, for decades this organization has never been in the limelight due to good works. Matters ranging from purchase of ships, transfer of staff to foreign stations, recruitment of contract staff, water to the purchase of pilot uniforms are always disputed. Heavy load of contract employees has added to the financial burden of the corporation, making it sluggish to work efficiently. Political interference is rampant. There is extreme negligence of the executive chairman, who was stopped by the interim order issued by the Supreme Court a year and a half ago. Not held accountable. In such a background, critics say that the corporation has reached a point where it cannot be improved with little effort.

Among the four big planes of the corporation, widebody's income share is around 60 percent (4 crores per day). If Makalu also goes to Italy without 'Annapoorna' returning, the corporation will lose that income. Whereas, the corporation has a debt burden of 48 billion only in capital. For the purchase of the ship, he has not been able to regularly pay the loan installments taken from the Employees' Provident Fund and the Citizens' Investment Fund. It is natural for an organization that does not take advantage of the earning opportunity to irregularly pay its obligations. Even those funds are at risk due to the negligence of the corporation.

corporation's market share is decreasing year by year. As a result, the market share of non-corporate domestic/foreign airlines has increased. In 2023, the corporation's market share for international flights was limited to 14 percent, while in 2020, the corporation's share was more than 25 percent. The main reason for this is the negligence of corporate management. A single market of foreign airlines will be established as Nepali flag carrier will not participate in flights. They will take advantage of that and increase the ticket prices.

Especially foreign companies will collect the money of workers and students who return or leave Nepal after working in foreign land during the festival through high ticket prices. Nepali workers will have to spend extra, and the corporation will also lose its earning base. The share of trade will also decrease. Already accounting for lost earnings and flight fares after being stranded in Italy for more than 60 days is a different story. The managerial incompetence of the corporation, the uncertainty of the flight and the irresponsibility of the leadership are sure to lead the organization to decline, not to the heights of success.

Corporation to be synonymous with the bad or to improve? This question is on the Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism, Parliament, political party leadership and corporation leadership. Because this kind of corporate style is misusing citizens' taxes, the internal and external image of the national flag bearer is also eroding. The institution itself is seen as a burden. This situation must end. MPs and stakeholders should pay serious attention to this matter. Pressure should be increased for reform.