Buddha Air has logged off an ATR-42 (9N-AIN) series aircraft that has operated flights for 16 years. On Tuesday, Buddha air conducted a program at Tribhuvan International Airport to retire the aircraft. At Tribhuvan International Airport yesterday, Buddha Air staff gave the aircraft a farewell with a water salute.
On September 17, 2008, the aircraft began commercial flights through mountain flights. The aircraft’s ‘flight cycle’ has concluded after serving for 16 years.
Over a period of 16 years, this aircraft has completed 44,477 flights and served 1.8 million passengers.
The aircraft operated its final flights on Tuesday morning. On its last flight, employees of Himalayan Bank were on the aircraft. Buddha Air arranged a mountain flight for the bank’s staff on Tuesday morning. This was Buddha Air’s first ATR aircraft.
The company currently has 18 aircraft. The flying cycles of Buddha’s two ATR 42-320 series aircraft are also nearing conclusion. These two aircraft will also be in the phase-out stage within two years.
The company plans to hand over the aircraft to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to remain on the airport premises. The company is preparing to use the equipment on the aircraft effectively and to provide the remaining structure as an ‘external shell’ for fire-fighting practices.
CAAN is preparing to use the aircraft as a ‘mockup’, as part of accident rescue efforts.
