Kathmandu, Jan. 24 -- A US-based company - CSDS Aircraft Sales and Leasing Inc - on Thursday, made a down payment and thereby confirming its purchase of the last remaining aircraft of Nepal Airlines from its vintage Boeing 757 fleet.

According to Ganesh Bahadur Chand, spokesperson of Nepal Airlines, the American firm deposited $281,000 into the carrier's account on Thursday, which is a 5 percent payment of the total aircraft cost.

"We will sign the sales agreement with the American company by January. The remaining amount will come after the agreement is signed," Chand told the Post.

On December 30, Nepal Airlines awarded the jet bearing registration number 9N-ACB to the CSDS Aircraft Sales and Leasing firm after it offered $5.71 milli...