Airlines to Avoid

A novel aircraft maintenance strategy:

KATHMANDU (Reuters) - Officials at Nepal's state-run airline have sacrificed two goats to appease Akash Bhairab, the Hindu sky god, following technical problems with one of its Boeing 757 aircraft, the carrier said on Tuesday.

Nepal Airlines, which has two Boeing aircraft, has had to suspend some services in recent weeks due the problem.

The goats were sacrificed in front of the troublesome aircraft on Sunday at Nepal's only international airport in Kathmandu in accordance with Hindu traditions, an official said.

"The snag in the plane has now been fixed and the aircraft has resumed its flights," said Raju K.C., a senior airline official, without explaining what the problem had been.

Local media last week blamed the company's woes on an electrical fault. The carrier runs international flights to five cities in Asia.

It is common in Nepal to sacrifice animals like goats and buffaloes to appease different Hindu deities.

Frankly, were I a passenger, I’d feel more comfortable if they’d used a mechanic. Does the size of the plane influence the nature of the sacrifice? If a 747 breaks, do you have to sacrifice a yak? Does a Cessna only require a couple of turtledoves?

Based on my recent flights, Ihope this desn't become popular in post-Christian America - the airline will start charging extra for goats.

"For those wishing a sacrifice, goats are available from the flight crew for a charge of $5.00. Please present either a credit card or exact change."