National flag carrier, Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) is required to spend around Rs1 billion to buy a engine for recovering the grounded Airbus A320 ‘9N-AKW’.
The corporation has to spend the amount to procure the new or ‘second hand’ engine. Airbus A320 with registration ‘9N-AKW’ has been grounded since 25th December at Indira Gandhi International airport, Delhi following a technical glitch on its one engine.
The maintenance team and officials from NAC did not show any concern towards bringing the aircraft into operation due to which the aircraft is still grounded at Delhi resulting international flight delays and cancellations.
The inspection team has concluded the engine needs to be replaced. The aircraft is not that old for the engine to be damaged however, new or second hand engine is required at the moment. As per the latest price, new engine could cost over Rs1 billion whereas second hand can be bought with Rs60 million.
The warranty duration of the engine has already ended as it was valid till 7000 flying hours. The engine manufacturing plant could provide the facility within short period of time if warranty was valid.
NAC is trying to opt for second hand engine but the corporation will have harsh time managing the required amount of over Rs60 crore so, availability of engine in lease could be fruitful.
The national flag carrier has to spend over Rs2 crore monthly for leasing one engine so the rapid maintenance of ‘9N-AKW’ is mandatory. Now, it is up to the management committee of NAC to handle the situation effectively at the earliest.
Currently, NAC has only one Airbus A320 ’9N-AKX’ Lumbini and Boeing 757 ‘9N-ACB’ Gandaki for conducting International flights. Both the aircraft are bearing the flight pressure released due to technical problem of ‘9N-AKW’.
