Nepal’s Supreme Court has issued a show-cause notice to the government regarding the procurement of six Chinese aircraft a decade ago. The aircraft, acquired between 2014 and 2018 through Chinese grants and loans, have not been operational, leading to financial strain on the national flag carrier. One of the planes even remains as scrap after a runway incident in 2020.
The state-owned national flag carrier, Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC), has refrained from operating the Chinese aircraft due to high operating costs and poor performance. A public-interest activist has filed a petition demanding a thorough investigation into the procurement process, alleging significant financial losses to the state. The Supreme Court has directed relevant authorities to explain the lack of investigation into the matter.
The procurement of the Chinese aircraft was aimed at enhancing the national carrier’s fleet but has backfired due to operational challenges and a lack of necessary resources. The decision to purchase these aircraft is now seen as a burden on the Nepali government, exacerbating financial woes. The aircraft have been parked at Tribhuvan International Airport, incurring parking charges for NAC.
The controversy surrounding the Chinese aircraft procurement has raised concerns about potential irregularities and corruption. The petitioner has urged the court to compel an impartial investigation into all involved officials and decision-makers. The lack of transparency in disclosing relevant documents has fueled suspicions of misconduct in the procurement process, prompting calls for accountability and legal action.
