Nepal Airlines new Airbus A320 will arrive in Kathmandu in February. As the airline is reportedly conducting its test flight shortly. As Nepal Airlins the first A320 will conduct several test flights before coming to Kathmandu.

The test flight of one of the Airbus aircraft being purchased by Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) will be conducted towards the end of January before it is formally handed over to the state-owned airline company in February.

Another Airbus aircraft ordered by NAC is expected to arrive in Nepal in April, says a statement issued by NAC. NAC had signed a memorandum of understanding to purchase two Airbus A320-200 aircraft in April last year and a firm order in June 2013.

“Airbus has completed manufacturing the body of the aircraft which is being delivered in February. “Also, work related to installing the engine and seats are ongoing,” said the statement made by NAC last week.

Both the aircraft will have 158 seats, of which eight seats will be allocated for business class and the rest for economy class. The aircraft will be powered by engines of US-based International Aero Engines.

Earlier, Sheel Shukla, senior sales director at Airbus, had said: “The engine chosen by NAC is one of the most fuel efficient engines (currently available in the market).”

Another prominent feature of the aircraft ordered by NAC is Sharklet fuel saving wing tip devices. These devices can save 3.5 per cent to four per cent of fuel, according to Airbus.

The aircraft are also equipped with the latest Required Navigation Performance technologies, which allow the aircraft to fly precisely along predefined routes using state-of-the-art onboard navigation systems. This is particularly beneficial for operations at high altitude airports which are constrained by mountains such as the carrier’s main base in Kathmandu, as per Airbus.