Aviation plays a crucial role in Nepal’s transportation sector. With a terrain dominated by mountains, aviation has become an indispensable mode of transportation for people and goods, connecting remote communities and regions with the rest of the country.
Nepal’s first commercial flight took off after the 1950s, and since then the aviation industry has grown significantly. The country has a number of domestic airlines, including Nepal Airlines, the national flag carrier, and several private airlines such as Yeti Airlines, Buddha Air, and Simrik Airlines. These airlines operate regular flights to destinations within Nepal, connecting cities and rural areas.
Despite the challenging geographical conditions, Nepali aviation has made remarkable progress over the years. The country now has several airports, including the famous international airport in Nepal, Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. The airport connects Nepal with major cities in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
However, the Nepali aviation sector has faced numerous challenges in recent years. The need for proper infrastructure, outdated technology, and inadequate maintenance facilities have posed significant difficulties for the industry. The recent surge in air traffic has also put pressure on the country’s airports, which are struggling to keep pace with the growing demand.
In recent years, the Nepali government has taken steps to modernize the aviation sector and improve its infrastructure. The government has introduced several measures to enhance safety and security, such as investing in new equipment and technology and improving runway facilities.
Nepal currently has 33 operational airports, with another 5 under construction. Meanwhile, 19 airports are inactive. The country has three international airports: Kathmandu’s Tribhuwan International Airport, Bhairahawa’s Gautam Buddha International Airport, and Pokhara’s Pokhara International Airport.
In recent years, the Nepali government has taken steps to modernize the aviation industry. With continued investment and improvement, the sector is poised for even greater growth and development in the future.
Bilateral Air Services Agreements between Nepal and 40 Countries
Since 1963, Nepal has signed bilateral air services agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with 40 different countries. In 1992, Nepal adopted a liberal sky policy and since then has been gradually pursuing an open sky policy as outlined in the 2006 Civil Aviation Policy. The provisions of the agreements with these countries outline the available routes, capacity for Nepalese carriers, destinations they are authorized to serve, and the number of weekly and yearly seats they are permitted. These agreements were signed between 1989 and 2015, with a majority signed in the late 1990s and early 2000s, covering a range of countries from Austria to the Netherlands. Some countries have multiple designations, while others have a single one. The number of weekly and yearly seats permitted varies greatly based on the agreement and country.
History of Aviation in Nepal
Timeline of Aviation Development in Nepal
1949: The first aircraft, a Beechcraft Bonanza, lands in Nepal carrying the Indian ambassador.
1967: The first jet, a Lufthansa Boeing 707, lands at Tribhuvan International Airport.
1972: Royal Nepal Airlines commences jet operations with a Boeing 727.
1992: Nepal adopts a liberal sky policy.
2006: Civil Aviation Policy 2006 was implemented in line with the open-sky policy.
1963–present: Nepal signs bilateral air service agreements with 39 countries.
2023: 56 airports in Nepal, 50 fully built and 6 under construction.
Present: The global aviation industry is on a high-growth trajectory, with Nepal working to improve its air infrastructure and implement relevant legislation.
Nepal Airlines aims to improve its competitiveness by adding aircraft to its fleet and increasing international destinations. The government plans to have one airport in every province and increase bilateral air service agreements to 42, allowing Nepal Airlines to play a role in promoting the national economy through aviation diplomacy.
Airlines Company In Nepal
List of Airlines in Nepal:
Fixed-wing aircraft:
A fixed-wing aircraft is an aircraft that is capable of flight using forward-facing wings that are rigid and do not change shape during flight. These aircraft rely on the lift generated by their wings to stay aloft and fly through the air. They are powered by one or more engines and have a relatively long range, making them ideal for commercial air travel. Examples of fixed-wing aircraft include commercial airliners, military jets, and general aviation aircraft.
- Buddha Air Pvt. Ltd.
Buddha Air has two Beechcraft 1900D (B1900D), nine ATR 72-500, and three ATR 42-320 aircraft. - Guna Airlines
Guna Airlines currently operates five Jetstream 4100 and two Beechcraft 1900C domestic aircraft. - Nepal Airlines Corporation
Nepal Airlines Corporation has the following fleet of aircraft:
- 2 Airbus A330-200 with engine model RR Trent 772B-60 and the aircraft registration numbers 9N-ALY and 9N-ALZ
- 2 Airbus A320-200 with engine model IAE V2527E-A5 and RR Trent 772B-60 and the aircraft registration numbers 9N-AKW and 9N-AKX
- 2 Xian MA60 with engine model PW100 and the aircraft registration numbers 9N-AKQ and 9N-AKR
- 4 Harbin Y12E with engine model PWC PT6A-135A and the aircraft registration numbers 9N-AKS, 9N-AKT, 9N-AKU, 9N-AKV
- 3 Twin Otter DHC-6-300 with engine model PW PT6 and the aircraft registration numbers 9N-ABT, 9N-ABU and 9N-ABX
The Airbus A330-200 aircraft are known as “Annapurna” and “Makalu.”
- Shree Airlines Pvt. Ltd.
Shree Airlines has a total of 8 aircraft in its fleet as of February 2023 and they are:
- 2 Bombardier CRJ200s with 50 seats each
- 2 Bombardier CRJ700s with 70 seats each
- 4 Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 with 80 seats each
- Sita Air Pvt. Ltd.
Sita Airlines has a total of four aircraft in its fleet as of February 2023 and they are:
- 4 Dornier Do-228(19 passengers per aircraft)
- Summit Air Pvt. Ltd.
Summit Air has four aircraft in its fleet as of February 2023. The aircraft include:
- 2 Cessna Grand Caravan 9 seater
- 1 LET 410 UVP-E20 (18 seats)
- 1 LET 410 Russian-made 18-seater aircraft
- Saurya Airlines Pvt. Ltd.
Saurya Airlines has a fleet of three CRJ-200 aircraft. - Tara Air Pvt. Ltd.
Tara Air operates a fleet of three STOL aircraft, including the Twin Otter DHC-6/400 and DHC-6/300. - Yeti Airlines Pvt. Ltd.
Yeti Airlines has 6 ATR 72-500 aircraft with 60 seat capacity. - Himalaya Airlines
Himalaya Airlines operates a fleet of four aircraft, including three Airbus 320-214 and one Airbus 319-115, all with an all-economy seating configuration.
Rotary wing aircraft:
Rotary wing aircraft, also known as helicopters, are aircraft that can take off and land vertically, hover in one spot, and fly forwards, backward, and laterally. Unlike fixed-wing aircraft, rotary-wing aircraft use rotors for lift and propulsion, allowing for more versatility in terms of landing and takeoff locations.
- Air Dynasty Heli Services Pvt. Ltd.
- Altitude Air Pvt. Ltd.
- Fishtail Air Pvt. Ltd.
- Heli Everest Pvt. Ltd.
- Kailash Helicopter Services Pvt. Ltd.
- Manang Air Pvt. Ltd.
- Mountain Helicopters Pvt. Ltd.
- Mustang Helicopter Pvt. Ltd.
- Prabhu Helicopters Pvt. Ltd
- Simrik Air Pvt. Ltd.
Challenges and Issues in the Aviation Industry of Nepal
The aviation industry in Nepal is facing multiple problems, including infrastructure development lagging behind air traffic growth, increased congestion at airports, fare competition between airlines, and a decrease in safety records. The country has recorded at least 350 casualties associated with airplanes or helicopters since 2000, which has raised questions about the effectiveness of its aviation safety regulations. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal is in charge of regulating the industry; however, it performs dual functions as a regulator and a service provider, which has been criticized by industry experts and global aviation watchdogs. The European Union banned all Nepali airlines from operating in the bloc’s airspace in 2013 due to safety concerns, and the ban has not been lifted yet. Nepal has made efforts to improve safety, but the safety record still does not match the requirements of other civil aviation authorities. The European Commission has recently extended the ban on Nepali airlines and has questioned the dual role of the Civil Aviation Authority. The government has shown no interest in splitting the organization into two entities to enhance the safety of flyers.
Disclaimer: The information presented in this blog regarding aviation is based on research and personal interpretation. The author is not a professional aviation expert, and the information provided may not be completely accurate. It is the reader’s responsibility to fact-check and verify the information before using it for any project or work. The author assumes no liability for any errors or inaccuracies in the content.