China is deploying its most advanced fighter jets closer to India's northern frontier. Satellite imagery accessed by WION shows 12 J-20 stealth fighters positioned at two Chinese airbases during late June and early July. The satellite images, sourced from Vantor, show eight fighter jets at Hotan in Xinjiang. It is located about 400 km from Leh in India. Four more were seen at Damxung in Tibet.&nbsp;The base lies 344 km northwest of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. The imagery offers a rare glimpse of China's fifth-generation air power operating from bases facing India. The locations are significant. Hotan lies roughly 245 kilometres from India's Daulat Beg Oldi airstrip, while Damxung is approximately 344 kilometres northwest of Tawang in India's Arunachal Pradesh.&nbsp;India shares a 3,488 km border with China that runs along the states of Jammu &amp; Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.&nbsp;These latest satellite images also highlight how the air balance along the Line of Actual Control is evolving. China has spent years upgrading its military infrastructure in Tibet and Xinjiang, while India has strengthened its own forward airfields and deployed advanced fighter aircraft.&nbsp;

China is deploying advanced fighter jets

&nbsp;The latest imagery suggests the contest is moving into another phase. The Chengdu J-20, nicknamed the "Mighty Dragon," is a twin-engine, all-weather, fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft developed by China's Chengdu Aircraft Corporation for the People's Liberation Army Air Force. First flown in 2011 and officially introduced in 2017, it is designed primarily as an air superiority fighter with long-range interception and precision strike capabilities.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The message is not necessarily that a confrontation is imminent. But the military calculation is clear. China is increasingly comfortable operating advanced aircraft from high-altitude bases close to India's northern and eastern sectors. That gives the People's Liberation Army Air Force greater options in a crisis while forcing India to track a more sophisticated threat. <h2>Indian defence forces equipped to handle situations</h2> The Indian Air Force maintains a highly strategic network of primary airbases and specialized advanced landing grounds along the 3,488 km Line of Actual Control shared with China. The forward airbases of the Indian defence forces have been equipped to handle situations along the western and northern fronts and have seen extensive flying operations in the recent past.

The IAF is also incorporating next-generation radar technology, secure communication systems, and stronger cybersecurity capabilities to address evolving security challenges.&nbsp;Relations between New Delhi and Beijing have cautiously normalised.&nbsp;While diplomats trade cautious communiqués about disengagement in valley bottoms, the skies above tell a far more aggressive story.&nbsp;China isn't just maintaining a posture along the Indian border; it is flexing its top-tier air superiority assets right on the edge of the Himalayan frontier. And New Delhi needs to keep a sharp eye on the emerging threat on the other side of the border.

The imagery offers a rare glimpse of Chinas fifth-generation air power operating from bases facing India. These latest satellite images also highlight how the air balance along the Line of Actual Control is evolving.

China is deploying its most advanced fighter jets closer to India's northern frontier. Satellite imagery accessed by WION shows 12 J-20 stealth fighters positioned at two Chinese airbases during late June and early July. The satellite images, sourced from Vantor, show eight fighter jets at Hotan in Xinjiang. It is located about 400 km from Leh in India. Four more were seen at Damxung in Tibet. The base lies 344 km northwest of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. The imagery offers a rare glimpse of China's fifth-generation air power operating from bases facing India. The locations are significant. Hotan lies roughly 245 kilometres from India's Daulat Beg Oldi airstrip, while Damxung is approximately 344 kilometres northwest of Tawang in India's Arunachal Pradesh. India shares a 3,488 km border with China that runs along the states of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. These latest satellite images also highlight how the air balance along the Line of Actual Control is evolving. China has spent years upgrading its military infrastructure in Tibet and Xinjiang, while India has strengthened its own forward airfields and deployed advanced fighter aircraft.

The imagery offers a rare glimpse of China's fifth-generation air power operating from bases facing India. These latest satellite images also highlight how the air balance along the Line of Actual Control is evolving.

China deploying advanced fighter jets closer to India's northern frontier

Nepal Airlines is selling Chinese planes that were acquired for a whopping 6.66 billion Nepalese Rupees (US$50 million) at a “junkyard price.”

As per top officials, cited by Nepalese news portal Kathmandu Post, the grounded planes “have been more trouble than they are worth.”

Nepal acquired a total of six planes from China between 2014 and 2018. Since then, one plane has crashed. The remaining five aircraft are grounded, including two 56-seater MA60 and three 17-seater Y12e.&nbsp;

<h2>Why is Nepal getting rid of Chinese planes?</h2>

The China-made aircraft are plagued by breakdowns. Due to a high maintenance cost, operating them became extremely expensive for debt-ridden Nepal Airlines.&nbsp;

Adding to that, a persistent shortage of suitable pilots and unreliability due to the crashing accident further led the officials to get rid of the planes as soon as possible. The planes have been grounded for at least three years.

In July 2020, the state-owned carrier felt it had had enough, and put all of them in deep storage.

<h2>Planes up for sale at scrap value</h2>

Nepal Airlines has now put the aircraft up for sale at a mere 220 million Nepalese Rupees (US$1.65 million). This price was determined by an independent international assessor, according to a highly-placed source at Nepal Airlines Corporation cited by Kathmandu Post.

The financially-stretched company further paid $20,000 for the valuation report.

Watch:&nbsp;Xi Jinping: Nepal PM committed in promoting ties with China

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“That is scrap value,” said the official.

The decision to sell the planes off was taken after a proposal to lease them out fell flat.

<h2>Nepal Airlines board reluctant to sell planes at low price</h2>

According to an official at the Tourism Ministry cited by Kathmandu Post, the Nepal Airlines board is not pleased with the idea of selling the costly planes at such a low price. “Now everyone is in a dilemma, including the Nepal Airlines board, which is reluctant to consent to sell the planes at the throwaway price,” said the official.

But Nepal Airlines insists that the planes are not feasible to fly and that selling them off is the only option available.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/chinese-president-xi-jinping-holds-meeting-with-nepals-pm-prachanda-638925">Also read:&nbsp;Nepal`s PM Prachanda meets Chinese President Xi, attends Asian Games opening</a>

It must be noted that planes can only be sold after the Nepal Airlines board grants approval.

“The report sent a month ago has not been approved by the Nepal Airlines board. Without their approval, the process to sell the planes cannot move forward,” said the official at the Tourism Ministry.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Nepal Airlines is selling Chinese planes that were acquired for a whopping 6.66 billion Nepalese Rupees (US$50 million) at a “junkyard price.” As per top officials, cited by Nepalese news portal Kathmandu Post, the grounded planes “have been more trouble than they are worth.

Nepal Airlines is selling Chinese planes that were acquired for a whopping 6.66 billion Nepalese Rupees (US$50 million) at a “junkyard price.” As per top officials, cited by Nepalese news portal Kathmandu Post, the grounded planes “have been more trouble than they are worth.” Nepal acquired a total of six planes from China between 2014 and 2018. Since then, one plane has crashed. The remaining five aircraft are grounded, including two 56-seater MA60 and three 17-seater Y12e. Why is Nepal getting rid of Chinese planes? The China-made aircraft are plagued by breakdowns. Due to a high maintenance cost, operating them became extremely expensive for debt-ridden Nepal Airlines. Adding to that, a persistent shortage of suitable pilots and unreliability due to the crashing accident further led the officials to get rid of the planes as soon as possible. The planes have been grounded for at least three years. In July 2020, the state-owned carrier felt it had had enough, and put all of them in deep storage. Planes up for sale at scrap value Nepal Airlines has now put the aircraft up for sale at a mere 220 million Nepalese Rupees (US$1.65 million). This price was determined by an independent international assessor, according to a highly-placed source at Nepal Airlines Corporation cited by Kathmandu Post. The financially-stretched company further paid $20,000 for the valuation report. Watch: Xi Jinping: Nepal PM committed in promoting ties with China × “That is scrap value,” said the official. The decision to sell the planes off was taken after a proposal to lease them out fell flat. Nepal Airlines board reluctant to sell planes at low price According to an official at the Tourism Ministry cited by Kathmandu Post, the Nepal Airlines board is not pleased with the idea of selling the costly planes at such a low price. “Now everyone is in a dilemma, including the Nepal Airlines board, which is reluctant to consent to sell the planes at the throwaway price,” said the official. But Nepal Airlines insists that the planes are not feasible to fly and that selling them off is the only option available. Also read: Nepal`s PM Prachanda meets Chinese President Xi, attends Asian Games opening It must be noted that planes can only be sold after the Nepal Airlines board grants approval. “The report sent a month ago has not been approved by the Nepal Airlines board. Without their approval, the process to sell the planes cannot move forward,” said the official at the Tourism Ministry. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Nepal Airlines selling off faulty Chinese planes at ‘junkyard price’

Nepal Airlines is selling off the Chinese planes in their fleet at junkyard prices, this is according to a report in Kathmandu Post. Napal's national carrier is looking to get rid off its Chinese planes as quickly as possible.

Nepal Airlines to sell fleet's Chinese planes at junkyard prices as they are not in flying condition

Troubled by the quality and efficiency of China-made airplanes, Nepal Airlines has decided to sell five of its Chinese planes, grounded for more than two years. The final decision was taken by the loss-making national carrier after no one came forward to lease the planes.

Troubled by the quality and efficiency of China-made airplanes, Nepal Airlines has decided to sell five of its Chinese planes, grounded for more than two years. The final decision was taken by the loss-making national carrier after no one came forward to lease the planes. “We didn’t get a single bid during the extended time either. Now, the management has decided to sell them off," said a spokesperson of Nepal Airlines. “It may take two to three weeks to appoint the assessor. Based on the assessor’s report, we will float a global tender to sell the planes." Three 17-seater Y12e and two 56-seater MA60 aircraft were acquired by Nepal Airlines, eight years ago amid much fanfare. The main goal was to fly the planes on underserved mountain routes. However, soon, mechanical and technical troubles started to creep up rather routinely in the airplanes. According to the airline company, such was the situation that the aircraft spent more time on the ground than in the air, causing heavy losses. Consequently, for the last two years, the five planes have been sitting and gathering dust in the remote parking bay on the eastern side of Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. WATCH | Six-point pact inked between Nepal and China under Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative × Earlier this year, a source had told WION that the Chinese airplanes required pilots with specific skills that the airline did not have at its disposal. “We have been facing technical problems in functioning of these aircrafts. The spare parts are not easily available and repairing aircrafts is expensive and time taking. To fly these planes, pilots with specific skills are required which we are short of. There are pilots in China but due to language barrier training pilots in Nepal is not possible,” said the source. Additionally, China had refused to help the Nepalese side on the matter. “We did approach China for help but nothing has been initiated from their side yet. The board of directors of Nepal Airlines hold meeting on a daily basis to discuss on training Nepalese pilots but we are yet to take a decision on that." Read more: Nepal grounds six Made-in-China planes, calls them liability Nepal Airlines wanted to get rid of the defunct Chinese airplanes much earlier but the bureaucratic hassle meant they had to hold onto them. Experts believe that even after putting the airplanes up for sale, the airline may not get a lot of takers. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Nepal Airlines to sell five Chinese airplanes grounded for two years due to tech, mechanical faults

Amid tensions with China, Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen&nbsp;released a video to show how close the Chinese military ships were to the island during the recently concluded military drills by the communist nation.

Taiwan said it had tracked 51 warplanes and six warships on Thursday and at least 25 planes either crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait or entered the southwestern part of Taiwan's air defence zone.

Chinese planes have crossed the median line&nbsp;several times since August 3 after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan earlier this month. Both countries conducted military drills but the situation largely remained under control even as both sides displayed their military muscle.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/most-taiwanese-oppose-one-china-policy-unification-less-attractive-after-china-drills-poll-finds-508000">Also Read:&nbsp;Most Taiwanese oppose 'One China' policy,&nbsp;poll finds</a>

China considers Taiwan as a breakaway province which it has said it will take by force if necessary. Last year China sent a record number of warplanes into Taiwan's air defence zone.

The US has maintained that it wants China and Taiwan to settle their dispute peacefully.

Watch:&nbsp;US, Taiwan aim to reach 'economically meaningful outcomes'

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“We will continue to take calm and resolute steps to uphold peace and stability in the face of Beijing's ongoing efforts to undermine it, and to support Taiwan,” Kurt Campbell, President Joe Biden's coordinator for the Indo-Pacific region said recently.

The latest military manoeuvres came after the US and Taiwan announced plans to start trade talks in autumn with eleven trade areas to be discussed between Washington and Taipei, including&nbsp;trade facilitation, digital trade, and non-market policies among others.

China's foreign ministry slammed the upcoming trade talks and urged the US to adhere to the "One China" policy and stop all official interactions with Taiwan even as Taipei welcomed the move.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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Amid tensions with China, Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen released a video to show how close the Chinese military ships were to the island during the recently concluded military drills by the communist nation.

Amid tensions with China, Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen released a video to show how close the Chinese military ships were to the island during the recently concluded military drills by the communist nation. Taiwan said it had tracked 51 warplanes and six warships on Thursday and at least 25 planes either crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait or entered the southwestern part of Taiwan's air defence zone. Chinese planes have crossed the median line several times since August 3 after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan earlier this month. Both countries conducted military drills but the situation largely remained under control even as both sides displayed their military muscle. Also Read: Most Taiwanese oppose 'One China' policy, poll finds China considers Taiwan as a breakaway province which it has said it will take by force if necessary. Last year China sent a record number of warplanes into Taiwan's air defence zone. The US has maintained that it wants China and Taiwan to settle their dispute peacefully. Watch: US, Taiwan aim to reach 'economically meaningful outcomes' “We will continue to take calm and resolute steps to uphold peace and stability in the face of Beijing's ongoing efforts to undermine it, and to support Taiwan,” Kurt Campbell, President Joe Biden's coordinator for the Indo-Pacific region said recently. The latest military manoeuvres came after the US and Taiwan announced plans to start trade talks in autumn with eleven trade areas to be discussed between Washington and Taipei, including trade facilitation, digital trade, and non-market policies among others. China's foreign ministry slammed the upcoming trade talks and urged the US to adhere to the "One China" policy and stop all official interactions with Taiwan even as Taipei welcomed the move. (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Will continue calm, resolute steps to uphold peace and stability, says US on China-Taiwan tensions

On Thursday (May 12), a passenger plane operated by China's Airlines skidded off the runway and caught fire as it took off from Chongqing in the country's southwest.

According to the state-run Xinhua news agency, the Tibet-bound airliner carried 113 passengers and nine staff members.

The passengers and crew were all removed from the jet, and the injured were sent to a nearby hospital for treatment. The number of fatalities was not immediately known, according to the state-run China Global Television Network (CGTN).

According to the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post, video footage aired by China Central Television (CCTV) showed flames and billowing black smoke spewing from the fuselage of the Tibet Airlines plane on the tarmac at Chongqing Jiangbei international airport.

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A plane veered off the runway during take-off and caught fire at an airport in SW China's Chongqing on Thursday morning. 113 passengers and 9 crew members have been evacuated safely and some people slightly injured have been sent to hospital, said the Tibet Airlines. <a href="https://t.co/FUZX3MSnfA">pic.twitter.com/FUZX3MSnfA</a>
— People's Daily, China (@PDChina) <a href="https://twitter.com/PDChina/status/1524577358195265536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
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People were observed fleeing the plane after exiting using the rear door's evacuation slide. The fire had been put out and the runway had been closed, according to CCTV. When the fire broke out, the plane was set to take off towards Nyingchi, Tibet.

The accident is being investigated, according to the airline.

This is the second passenger aviation accident in China in recent weeks.

On March 12, a Boeing 737 flight from Kunming to Guangzhou crashed in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region's Tengxian county. All 132 people on board were killed, including nine crew members.

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On Thursday (May 12), a passenger plane operated by China's Airlines skidded off the runway and caught fire as it took off from Chongqing in the country's southwest.

On Thursday (May 12), a passenger plane operated by China's Airlines skidded off the runway and caught fire as it took off from Chongqing in the country's southwest. According to the state-run Xinhua news agency, the Tibet-bound airliner carried 113 passengers and nine staff members. The passengers and crew were all removed from the jet, and the injured were sent to a nearby hospital for treatment. The number of fatalities was not immediately known, according to the state-run China Global Television Network (CGTN). According to the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post, video footage aired by China Central Television (CCTV) showed flames and billowing black smoke spewing from the fuselage of the Tibet Airlines plane on the tarmac at Chongqing Jiangbei international airport. A plane veered off the runway during take-off and caught fire at an airport in SW China's Chongqing on Thursday morning. 113 passengers and 9 crew members have been evacuated safely and some people slightly injured have been sent to hospital, said the Tibet Airlines. pic.twitter.com/FUZX3MSnfA — People's Daily, China (@PDChina) May 12, 2022 × People were observed fleeing the plane after exiting using the rear door's evacuation slide. The fire had been put out and the runway had been closed, according to CCTV. When the fire broke out, the plane was set to take off towards Nyingchi, Tibet. The accident is being investigated, according to the airline. This is the second passenger aviation accident in China in recent weeks. On March 12, a Boeing 737 flight from Kunming to Guangzhou crashed in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region's Tengxian county. All 132 people on board were killed, including nine crew members. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Watch: Chinese plane catches fire at airport during takeoff; more than 100 evacuated

One of the two black boxes of the crashed Chinese passenger jet, with 132 passengers on board, has been recovered, an aviation official said Wednesday.

The Boeing 737-800 has two flight recorders—one in the rear passenger cabin tracking flight data, and the other a cockpit voice recorder.

A flight recorder "from China Eastern MU5735 was found on March 23," Liu Lusong, a spokesman for China's aviation authority, told reporters.

The cause of Monday's crash has yet to be determined. According to local media, the plane had been in service since 2015. The flight, operated by China Eastern Airlines, was flying from the southwestern Chinese city of Kunming to Guangzhou when it crashed.

Officials are yet to declare all of the passengers dead even as a two-day operation to search for clues found no survivors from what is being described as China's deadliest plane crash in nearly 30 years.

Video clips posted by China’s state media showed small pieces of the Boeing plane scattered over the rugged area. Officials have also recovered wallets, bank and identity cards.

Also see: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-final-moments-of-china-plane-caught-on-camera-just-before-crash-464336">Final moments of China plane caught on camera just before crash</a>

"At present, it is unclear whether it is a data recorder or a cockpit voice recorder," that has been found, Mao Yanfeng, an official at the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), said according to state media.

The probe officers have not yet made it official as to what caused the plane to crash an hour after departure.

An air-traffic controller tried to contact the pilots several times after seeing the plane’s altitude drop sharply, but got no reply, Zhu Tao, director of the Office of Aviation Safety at the Civil Aviation Authority of China, said at a Tuesday evening news conference.

“As of now, the rescue has yet to find survivors,’’ Zhu said. “The public security department has taken control of the site.’’

The Boeing 737-800 has been flying since 1998 and has a well-established safety record. It is an earlier model than the 737 Max, which was grounded worldwide for nearly two years after deadly crashes in 2018 and 2019.

(With inputs from agencies)

One of the two black boxes of the crashed Chinese passenger jet, with 132 passengers on board, has been recovered, an aviation official said Wednesday. The Boeing 737-800 has two flight recorders—one in the rear passenger cabin tracking flight data, and the other a cockpit voice recorder.

One of the two black boxes of the crashed Chinese passenger jet, with 132 passengers on board, has been recovered, an aviation official said Wednesday. The Boeing 737-800 has two flight recorders—one in the rear passenger cabin tracking flight data, and the other a cockpit voice recorder. A flight recorder "from China Eastern MU5735 was found on March 23," Liu Lusong, a spokesman for China's aviation authority, told reporters. The cause of Monday's crash has yet to be determined. According to local media, the plane had been in service since 2015. The flight, operated by China Eastern Airlines, was flying from the southwestern Chinese city of Kunming to Guangzhou when it crashed. Officials are yet to declare all of the passengers dead even as a two-day operation to search for clues found no survivors from what is being described as China's deadliest plane crash in nearly 30 years. Video clips posted by China’s state media showed small pieces of the Boeing plane scattered over the rugged area. Officials have also recovered wallets, bank and identity cards. Also see: Final moments of China plane caught on camera just before crash "At present, it is unclear whether it is a data recorder or a cockpit voice recorder," that has been found, Mao Yanfeng, an official at the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), said according to state media. The probe officers have not yet made it official as to what caused the plane to crash an hour after departure. An air-traffic controller tried to contact the pilots several times after seeing the plane’s altitude drop sharply, but got no reply, Zhu Tao, director of the Office of Aviation Safety at the Civil Aviation Authority of China, said at a Tuesday evening news conference. “As of now, the rescue has yet to find survivors,’’ Zhu said. “The public security department has taken control of the site.’’ The Boeing 737-800 has been flying since 1998 and has a well-established safety record. It is an earlier model than the 737 Max, which was grounded worldwide for nearly two years after deadly crashes in 2018 and 2019. (With inputs from agencies)

One of two black boxes of crashed China Eastern passenger jet recovered: Aviation official

Xi Jinping knows how to get his way. At home, loyalists help the Chinese president keep his grip on power.

Abroad China tames countries through the debt trap. Back in July, Nepal decided to ground six Chinese planes. The Nepal airlines had bought them back in 2012 but it can no longer afford to keep the Chinese planes in the air.

Because they are a big headache. Reportedly Nepal had struck a deal with China, because it was promised a gift. The agreement was simple. Nepal will buy six planes from China and China will give away two more planes as gifts. Now, WION has learnt that the agreement wasn’t so simple after all. It was a deal that only helped the dragon. The agreement was signed in 2012 under prime minister Baburam Bhattarai.

Nepal bought these planes through Chinese funding. 60 per cent of the funding came from china’s Exim bank. The remaining 40 per cent was in the form of a grant or subsidy from China. The value of the deal 6.6 billion Nepali rupees. That’s more than fifty million dollars as of today.

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The term of the loan was 20 years and an interest rate of 1.5 per cent. Now, Chinese planes are grounded and Nepal is stuck with a liability.

The operating costs and insurance of the plane are too high. The spares are unavailable and when you do get them they are costly. The spares are sold at a markup of 50 to 70 per cent. Training pilots to fly Chinese planes is costly too.

50 per cent more than what airlines usually pay. So the Nepal airlines had no option, but to ground these planes.

However, there is no clarity on what happens to the Chinese loan.

Will the airline still have to pay the instalments? Can it return the planes?

These questions need to be answered by the Nepali government. 
&nbsp;

Xi Jinping knows how to get his way. At home, loyalists help the Chinese president keep his grip on power. Abroad China tames countries through the debt trap. Back in July, Nepal decided to ground six Chinese planes.

Xi Jinping knows how to get his way. At home, loyalists help the Chinese president keep his grip on power. Abroad China tames countries through the debt trap. Back in July, Nepal decided to ground six Chinese planes. The Nepal airlines had bought them back in 2012 but it can no longer afford to keep the Chinese planes in the air. Because they are a big headache. Reportedly Nepal had struck a deal with China, because it was promised a gift. The agreement was simple. Nepal will buy six planes from China and China will give away two more planes as gifts. Now, WION has learnt that the agreement wasn’t so simple after all. It was a deal that only helped the dragon. The agreement was signed in 2012 under prime minister Baburam Bhattarai. Nepal bought these planes through Chinese funding. 60 per cent of the funding came from china’s Exim bank. The remaining 40 per cent was in the form of a grant or subsidy from China. The value of the deal 6.6 billion Nepali rupees. That’s more than fifty million dollars as of today. The term of the loan was 20 years and an interest rate of 1.5 per cent. Now, Chinese planes are grounded and Nepal is stuck with a liability. The operating costs and insurance of the plane are too high. The spares are unavailable and when you do get them they are costly. The spares are sold at a markup of 50 to 70 per cent. Training pilots to fly Chinese planes is costly too. 50 per cent more than what airlines usually pay. So the Nepal airlines had no option, but to ground these planes. However, there is no clarity on what happens to the Chinese loan. Will the airline still have to pay the instalments? Can it return the planes? These questions need to be answered by the Nepali government.

Chinese planes are proving to be a big headache for Nepal

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