Airlines in Nepal: the 18 airlines

Each year the European Commission publishes on its official website the list of airlines banned from European airspace. In 2017, for example, 178 airlines were blacklisted.

Each year the European Commission publishes on its official website the list of airlines banned from European airspace. In 2017, for example, 178 airlines were blacklisted. Nepal has a total of 18 airlines and all are banned in Europe. Here is the list of these airlines and their destinations :

Airlines offering international flights

NEPAL AIRLINES : It is the country's largest airline. As of 2018, it serves no fewer than 32 destinations, including 8 internationally, with a fleet of 12 aircraft. The company is managed by the Nepalese government and offers flights, in addition to those offered by Himalaya Airlines, to Delhi, Bangkok, Bengaluru, Hong Kong and Mumbai. HIMALAYA AIRLINES : This company is the result of a joint venture created in 2014, between Yeti Airlines Group, Himalaya Infrastructure Funds and Tibet Airlines. Himalaya Airlines operates 3 Airbus A320 aircraft and serves 4 destinations year-round from its hub at Kathmandu Airport : Doha (DOH) in Qatar, Kuala Lumpur (KUL) in Malaysia, Dammam (DMM) in Saudi Arabia and Dubai (DMX) in the UAE.

Airlines offering domestic flights

BUDDHA AIR : It is one of Nepal's largest airlines with approximately 500 employees and over 3 million passengers transported since its establishment in 1996. Its fleet consists of 10 aircraft: 2 Beechcraft 1900D and 8 aircraft from the Franco-Italian group ATR. It offers 9 domestic flights from Kathmandu such as Pokhara or Simara. SUMMIT AIR : The airline serves just under 10 domestic destinations. The fleet comprises 5 aircraft including 3 Czech-made Let 410. These aircraft have the distinction of being among the world's best with the ability to land on short runways in extreme weather conditions. MAKALU AIR : The company operates 3 Cessna 208B Grand Caravan aircraft. Apart from Kathmandu, the fleet connects the capital to 5 other local destinations such as Surkhet or Jamla. SAURYA AIRLINES : The airline serves 7 cities in the country with the help of its 2 Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft. Founded in 2014, it is one of the latest carriers to enter the air transport market. SHREE AIRLINES : Shree Airlines is a Nepalese airline created in 2000. In addition to offering helicopter tours, it operates 3 Bombardier aircraft (J200 and J700). Apart from the capital, it serves 5 cities in the country. SIMRIK AIRLINES : With Kathmandu, the company connects 7 regional destinations. It owns 2 Beechcraft 1900C and 3 Jetstream 41 aircraft. SITA AIR : Sita Air serves the 10 largest cities in Nepal. Established in 2000 with 1 German DO-228, it now operates 4 of them. Its flights can transport both passengers and equipment. YETI AIRLINES : Yeti Airlines is part of the top 4 major Nepalese aviation companies. Its hub is also based at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. The carrier connects approximately 10 regional airports from the capital through its 2 ATR 72-500 and its 6 British-manufactured Jetstream 41 aircraft. TARA AIR : Tara Air was created in 2009 by Yeti Airlines. The company offers an "air charter" service, that is the ability for clients to rent an entire aircraft. The company currently owns 2 German Dornier 228 aircraft with 19 seats and 4 DHC 6300 and 6400 from Canadian Twin Otter. AIR DYNASTY HELI : Helicopter MANANG AIR : Helicopter MOUNTAIN HELICOPTERS : Helicopter FISHTAIL AIR : Helicopter AIR KASTHAMANDAP : NO INFORMATION MUKTINATH AIRLINES : NO INFORMATION

Frequently asked questions

Nepal has a total of 18 airlines, including 2 that offer international flights (Nepal Airlines and Himalaya Airlines), several domestic flight companies and helicopter operators serving mountainous regions.

All Nepalese airlines appear on the European Commission's blacklist, published each year. This ban is related to air safety standards deemed insufficient according to European standards. This means they cannot operate flights to or from European Union countries.

Buddha Air and Yeti Airlines are generally considered the most reliable and important domestic carriers in Nepal. Buddha Air operates a fleet of 10 aircraft and has transported over 3 million passengers since its establishment in 1996. Yeti Airlines connects Kathmandu to approximately 10 regional airports.

Domestic flights in Nepal can be booked directly on the official websites of airlines (Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, Nepal Airlines), through local travel agencies in Kathmandu, or through tour operators specializing in Nepal circuits. It is advisable to book in advance, especially during the high trekking season.

Yes, several companies offer helicopter flights in Nepal, such as Air Dynasty Heli, Manang Air, Mountain Helicopters or Fishtail Air. These services are particularly useful for reaching areas inaccessible to small aircraft or in case of medical emergency at altitude.

From Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal Airlines serves destinations such as Delhi, Bangkok, Bengaluru, Hong Kong and Mumbai. Himalaya Airlines, for its part, connects Kathmandu to Doha, Kuala Lumpur, Dammam and Dubai.