Aug 16, 2011

KATHMANDU, AUG 16 (eKantipur.com)

Simrik Air on Monday announced that it would be operating the AS350 B3 plus helicopter in the Nepali skies by Aug 22.

The six-seater helicopter from Eurocopter South East Asia is aimed at serving tourists and rescue flights and medical evacuation, the company said. Simrik Air has announced a 40 percent discount on the charter rate until Sept 10, 2011 as part of its promotional offer. The regular price is US$ 2,500 per hour.

“After the promotional fare ends, we will be providing a 20 percent discount on the same fare structure,” said Yog Raj Kandel, general manager of Simrik Air.

According to the company, it also plans to operate mountain flights, pilgrimage tours and rescue missions. It has focused on charter services to major pilgrimage destinations like Kailash Manasarovar, Muktinath, Damodarkund, Lumbini, Pathivara, Halesi, Khaptad and Badimalika, among others.

With the induction of the new chopper, Simrik’s fleet has increased to three. The company currently owns two Japanese-made BK-117 helicopters. “The move is directed at addressing growing demand for helicopter services in the country,” Kandel said. 

The AS350 B3 plus, which carries a price tag of US$ 2.5 million, is the next generation aircraft and has a maximum operating altitude of 7,010 m.

Two more helicopters from Eurocopter will be acquired by Simrik Air by the end of February 2012. The airlines had signed agreement with Eurocopter in May to this effect. Simrik Air is the first company outside the West to acquire the latest chopper from Eurocopter.