Nepal Airlines (NAC) is planning to purchase two new Airbus-built A330-200 wide-body jets, after the country’s finance ministry has promised to act as a guarantor on a loan to make the purchase.

Following the ministry’s assurance, Nepal’s tourism ministry will table a procurement proposal in the cabinet.

With the new jets, Nepal’s national flag carrier intends to expand its fleet under an NPR25bn ($230m) project announced last January.

Once approved, NAC will purchase the first aircraft by next September and the second by March 2018.

With plans to operate an all-Airbus fleet in future, NAC has decided to buy the new Airbus planes in order to reduce maintenance and crew training costs, reported Kathmandu Post.

"Once approved, NAC will purchase the first aircraft by next September and the second by March 2018."

The carrier currently operates five types of aircraft, which include Boeing, Airbus, Twin Otter, MA60 and Y12e.

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The varied nature of its fleet has led the airline to employ diverse sets of pilots, engineers and spare parts for each aircraft category.

Capable of flying 13,450km, Airbus’ new 242t A330-200 aircraft can carry 247 passengers and over 3.4t more payload than its previous version.

In order to perform long-distance operations, the A330-200 can be customised with new crew rest areas and other facilities.

NAC currently conducts operations in eight international destinations, covering three Indian cities, and plans to expand to Guangzhou, China.

The carrier plans to begin non-stop flights to London, UK, with the procurement of the new wide body jets, reported My Republica.

Image: Airbus’ new 242t A330-200 aircraft can carry 247 passengers. Photo: courtesy of Airbus.