The national carrier Nepal Airlines has launched a tender to find an aircraft manufacturer that can supply Stol (Short Take-Off and Landing) aircraft, that is capable of taking off on short runways. A very widespread situation in the country, where many airports are located among high mountains. On the merits, the company has issued a formal notice for the purchase of three newly built aircraft. 

These are the airline's requests: the aircraft must have at least 18 seats on board and be reconfigurable, meaning that they can be removed or folded to facilitate the transport of goods. The aircraft must be capable of runway operation at 1,500 feet altitude, with a 1.8-ton payload, with a range of 100 nautical miles. Interested manufacturers must submit their proposals by December 5, 2023.

The Nepal Airlines company today manages a fleet which is made up of six aircraft and two A-330s, other A-320s, and finally two twin-engine turboprop DHC-6-300 Twin Otter aircraft from the Canadian de Havilland. These fixed-wing units serve a network of 36 destinations. 

On the same topic, see also the article published by AVIONEWS.