The Chinese manufacturer of the Y12e has shaved 140 kg off the aircraft following complaints that it was too heavy to be viable to operate in Nepal, a government-formed panel said. The weight has been reduced by replacing bulky seats with lighter ones made up of stronger materials.

Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has been putting off taking delivery of the remaining three Y12e aircraft on order due to problems including load restrictions encountered with the one that has joined its fleet.

The first Y12e aircraft, weighing 3,550 kg when empty, arrived in Kathmandu in November 2014 as part of a Chinese government gift to Nepal. The 17-seater plane weighed 185 kg more than what was stated in the 

specifications, forcing NAC to reduce the cabin load by three passengers. 

The government team assigned to sort out the problems in the Chinese aircraft had recently visited the factories where the Y12e and MA60 are made to study their performance.

“As per the new specifications, the empty weight of the Y12e aircraft has been reduced by nearly 140 kg,” said Suresh Acharya, joint secretary of Tourism Ministry, who led the team. “The reduced weight of the new aircraft will enable NAC to carry two more passengers compared to the one that Nepal received last year.” 

He added that the manufacturer had completed assembling the three Y12e for Nepal, and that two of them bearing NAC livery and Nepali registration numbers were ready for delivery. 

“We are waiting for the weight and balance certification from the manufacturer,” Acharya said, adding that the final report on the aircraft’s performance would be submitted to the government by mid-January once the certificate is received. 

“The aircraft will be tested at various airports here before putting them into commercial service.” 

However, the temperature restrictions on the aircraft will remain. It is unable to operate with a full load from the country’s airfields due to temperature restrictions, according to the performance analysis report submitted by NAC to the Tourism Ministry.

The 17-seater Y12e flies well in very cold weather, with performance falling with a rise in temperature and altitude. For example, the Y12e can fly from Kathmandu to Khanidanda at full capacity at 0 degrees Celsius. At 14 degrees Celsius, the plane can carry only 12 passengers; and at 30 degrees Celsius, the allowable cabin load drops to a mere six passengers.

According to NAC officials, the aircraft could be flown on the sectors where it is feasible. “A sector-wise study, based on its performance, will be made to fly the aircraft,” said a NAC official. 

Meanwhile, the supplier of the 56-seater MA60 aircraft, AVIC International Holdings, has agreed to set up an emergency response centre that will ship spares parts from China within 48 hours of being ordered, said Acharya. 

In terms of load penalty, the panel has suggested reviewing the fuel policy. The MA60 has been flying with 25 percent extra fuel so it cannot carry a full load of passengers, said Acharya. 

On November 29, 2012, NAC and AVIC International Holdings had signed a commercial agreement for six aircraft. One 56-seater MA60 and one 17-seater Y12e arrived in Kathmandu on April 27 and November 3, 2014 respectively under this deal. These two aircraft were provided to Nepal as gifts. 

However, NAC found the planes to be financially unviable due to their poor performance after test flying them on a number of routes, and wrote to the Tourism Ministry on January 26 telling it so. Subsequently, a committee was formed to look into the matter.