The process will proceed only after NAC makes a formal decision on the option. NAC management estimates that purchasing new parts for the aircraft could cost around US$2.7 million. An NAC engineer said management was finding it difficult to decide between repairing the existing parts and purchasing new ones because the cost, time and availability of parts were not yet clear.
The Makalu widebody aircraft in Italy developed a problem during its final test following a C-check. NAC technical spokesperson Devendra Pun said the problem was detected in the thrust reverser brake during the final test after the C-check, causing the aircraft, which had been scheduled to return to Nepal on September 1, to remain at the maintenance facility in Italy.
NAC had already prepared the aircraft’s flight schedule.
Ministry officials said full technical approval from French manufacturer Safran was still pending to resolve the problem. Once approval is received, repairs could take three to four days.
An official said Safran had given permission but the repair had not been completed, and that the company had emailed Nepal saying it would send the full technical details by Monday evening. The official said NAC had also briefed Tourism Minister Khadga Raj Paudel about the matter.
The official said approval from the manufacturer and a cost assessment were required to decide whether to repair the aircraft or use new parts.
NAC technical spokesperson Pun said no final decision had been made on the repair costs of either widebody aircraft. NAC engineers estimate that repairing both aircraft could cost at least Rs 500 million based on preliminary cost details provided by foreign MRO companies.
NAC acting General Manager Janak Raj Kalakheti said repair and spare-parts costs for both aircraft would be claimed through the National Insurance Company.
With both widebody aircraft grounded, NAC has had to purchase alternative tickets for passengers at higher last-minute prices. Additional expenses have also arisen from accommodating passengers in hotels, transporting them to and from airports, rebooking tickets and sending them to destinations through different transit points.
Kalakheti said NAC was rerouting passengers through airlines including Air India and Cathay Pacific, depending on availability. He said instructions had been issued to prioritize passengers whose visas were nearing expiry, as well as children, elderly people, sick passengers and those with urgent family matters.
Kalakheti said the number of passengers accommodated in hotels and the total expenditure on their accommodation had not yet been finalized.
