Chinese planes continue to be a costly burden for Nepal Airlines

Grounded for years, the aircraft continue to drain millions as efforts to sell, lease, or return them fail amid financial and diplomatic constraints.

For nearly five years now, a cluster of Chinese-built aircraft has sat idle at Kathmandu’s airport, their presence turning from promise to burden. What was once projected as a step toward strengthening Nepal Airlines’ domestic fleet has instead become a lingering financial and operational dilemma—one that the national flag carrier has been unable to resolve despite repeated efforts.