Nepal Airlines (RA, Kathmandu) has begun the process of phasing out its fleet of B757-200s with 9N-ACA (msn 23850) the first to be put up for sale.
The Kathmandu Post reports that once the near 29 year-old aircraft has completed its current maintenance review in Singapore, it will be returned home where airline management will then assess its condition prior to putting it on the market.
Delivered direct from Boeing (BOE, Washington National) to Nepal Airlines' predecessor Royal Nepal Airlines (Kathmandu) in September 1987, the twinjet is equipped with Rolls-Royce RB211-535E4 motors. As with sistership 9N-ACB (msn 23863), which was delivered a year later, both aircraft are used on regular flights from Kathmandu to Bengaluru International, Delhi International, Doha Hamad International, and Kuala Lumpur International.
An airline spokesman said that in addition to their higher fuel consumption, the B757s have become too expensive to maintain in comparison with the carrier's two A320-200s which arrived last year. A further two are due in May and July of 2017.
Nepal Airlines is also considering A330 equipment with December 2016 and February 2017 mentioned as possible delivery dates. No official confirmation of an order or a lease agreement has yet been made.
