Kathmandu, March 9 -- After several failed attempts to offload its five Chinese planes, the Nepal Airlines is now awaiting guidance from its line ministry on the next steps.

The six condemned planes-four 17-seater Y12e aircraft and two 56-seater MA60 aircraft-were acquired between 2014 and 2018 for Rs6.66 billion in grants and loans. One plane crashed in Nepalgunj.

Since 2020, the five remaining planes have been left unused on the eastern side of the runway at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Officials report that most of the aircraft are rotting away.

"Both options-leasing and selling the aircraft-have failed," said Ramesh Poudel, spokesperson for Nepal Airlines. "We have sought suggestions from the tourism ministry o...