Nepal Airlines Corporation's Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft, with the call sign '9N-ALZ' (Makalu), returned to Kathmandu on Monday after undergoing a comprehensive maintenance check, known as a C-check, in Naples, Italy.
The C-check, a detailed inspection and maintenance process carried out approximately every 20–24 months or after a specified number of flight hours, was conducted by an Italian Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) organization certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). After completing all required procedures, the Italian company issued a certificate of release to service.
Nepal Airlines spokesperson Ramesh Paudel confirmed that the aircraft landed at Tribhuvan International Airport at 8:36 AM. Despite Nepal's placement on the EU safety blacklist, the national carrier's wide-body aircraft, including the recently serviced Annapurna, have successfully undergone maintenance at internationally accredited facilities in Europe.
With Makalu’s return, Nepal Airlines now has three operational aircraft, including two narrow-body planes, to resume regular international services. This is expected to enhance the airline's ability to serve passengers on long-haul routes and expand its network. -- RSS
