Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) can continue its Hong Kong flight after it got one-and-a-half-year time extension to install Required Navigation Performance (RNP) 1 equipment as Civil Aviation Department of Hong Kong relaxed its earlier deadline of July 10 to 2014 end.

Earlier, Hong Kong aviation authority had asked all the aircraft including Nepal Airlines flying to Hong Kong to either install the RNP 1 by July 10, or stop Hong Kong flight.

The time extension has, however, given the ailing national flag carrier time to install the equipment. "Nepal Airlines Corporation is planning to announce a tender for the equipment installation," informed spokesperson at the corporation Ganesh Bahadur Chand. "NAC will also seek advice from its aircraft manufacturer Boeing Company."

Due to its failure to install RNP 1 equipment in its aircraft, the airlines was planning to suspend its Kathmandu-Hong Kong flight from mid-July. The equipment costs more than $2 million.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal is also planning to formally implement the RNP in the country from 2016 to increase aviation safety.

Though, it can continue its Hong Kong flight for the time being, it will have to ultimately suspend its flight on the route as it will take eight months to one year for the installation of the equipment.

If NAC receives two new aircraft on lease within October 26, according to its plan, it will have sufficient time for the equipment installation in its current aircraft.

NAC - that has been listed as one of the top 15 worst airlines in the world for economy class travel by Business Insider - has been currently flying to Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Doha, Qatar, Hong Kong and Bangkok as it has suspended its flights on most profitable destinations like Delhi and Dubai due to lack of aircraft and worsening  financial health.

The Business Insider has listed Nepal Airlines as one of the top 15 worst airlines in the world for economy class travel with a rating of 46.7 out of 100."Flying used to be a pleasant experience, but now with airport checks, rising ticket costs and cuts in services, it has become a painful one, especially for those stuck in economy class," wrote the Business Insider that has listed top 20 worst airlines for flying economy class in the world.

Turkmenistan Airlines ranked first among them with a score of 30.8 out of 100, followed by Sudan Airways (33.3), Ukraine International Airlines (36.3), Uzbekistan Airways (37.5), North Korea’s Air Koryo (39.2).

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