Buddha Air has formally handed over the fuselage of its retired ATR-72 aircraft (MSN-535) to the Nepal Army, marking a significant contribution toward strengthening national emergency preparedness and aviation safety training.
The handover ceremony was held on Monday at Buddha Air’s hangar at Tribhuvan International Airport, where Executive Chairman Birendra Bahadur Basnet officially presented the aircraft fuselage to Lieutenant General Anup Jung Thapa, Chief of Operations of the Nepal Army. The aircraft had recently been retired from commercial service after completing approximately 70,000 flight cycles, according to the airline.
Symbolic Contribution Toward National Security and Disaster Response
Speaking at the event, Executive Chairman Basnet expressed pride in supporting the Nepal Army, which he said plays a vital role in disaster management, infrastructure support, peacekeeping, and national security operations. He stated that the decommissioned fuselage would serve as a valuable training asset, helping enhance preparedness for potential aircraft accidents, airport emergencies, and various security threats. According to him, the structure can be effectively used under airport emergency response plans, enabling simulation-based training for different levels of crisis situations.
Nepal Army to Enhance Emergency Training Capacity
Lieutenant General Anup Jung Thapa expressed appreciation for Buddha Air’s support, stating that the aircraft fuselage will significantly strengthen the Nepal Army’s capability in emergency drills, disaster response training, and aviation-related security preparedness. Officials noted that such practical training assets are crucial for improving coordination among security agencies and enhancing real-time response capacity during aviation emergencies.
Civil Aviation Authority Highlights Safety Collaboration
Deputy Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), Premnath Thakur, also highlighted the importance of the initiative. He said the donated fuselage will provide essential support for training exercises, safety drills, and threat response simulations.
He further noted that Buddha Air has consistently maintained strong cooperation with aviation regulators in advancing safety standards and operational readiness within Nepal’s civil aviation sector.
Strengthening Aviation Safety and Inter-Agency Coordination
The donation is being viewed as a meaningful example of collaboration between the private aviation sector and national security agencies. Officials believe such initiatives will help improve emergency preparedness at airports and enhance the country’s overall aviation safety framework.
