September 19: A task force formed to suggest recommendations for improving Nepal Airlines Corporation has submitted its report to the government. The task force has suggested transforming the state-run company into a public limited company.

The task forced led by former secretary Sushil Ghimire has also suggested the government to find a strategic partner for improving the management of the airline company.

The task force handed over the report to Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai on Wednesday suggesting 13 immediate actions and 12 long-term measures to bail out the NAC which is reeling under financial crisis.

The report has also suggested restructuring the finance department and management of the corporation. It has pointed out the need to upgrade aircraft, expand market as well as improve various other aspects like destination analysis, human resource, information and technology, work progress index, institutional good governance, secrecy and re-evaluate work division.

The task force formed about a month ago includes Dr Subodh Kumar Karna, management expert Dim Prasad Poudel and Captain Sudhir Shamsher Rai as members. Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Buddhi Sagar Bhattarai was the member secretary of the task force.

The task force has concluded that the government needs to overhaul the finance department of NAC to bail it out from the current financial hardship.

The flag carrier of Nepal has been unable to pay the installment of the two new wide-body aircraft it purchased some time ago.