Domestic Airlines in Nepal

Many new domestic airlines have taken to the skies since the privatization for the airline industry in 1991 (and several have even gone defunct). All are based in Kathmandu, and most operate with small STOL (Short Take Off & Landing) aircraft like Twin Otters. Below is a short profile of each airline.

Yeti Airways

Yeti Airways was established in 1998 and operates with a fleet of four 19-seater DHC-6-300 Twin Otter aircraft. Their route net covers mountain flight (Everest Flight), Lukla, Pokhara, Simikot, Phaplu, Simara, Lamidanda, Rumjatar, Simara, Bharatpur, Bhadrapur, Bhairawa, Biratnagar, Nepalgunj, and Jomsom.

Buddha Air

Nepal's trendiest airline operates with the most modern fleet – four Raytheon Beech 1900D 19-seater aircraft. Buddha Air stresses the safety factor, and though recently established in 1997, has quickly grown to be popular. Destinations served include Pokhara, Biratnagar, Nepalganj, Bhairawa, Bhadrapur, and mountain flight.

Gorkha Airlines

Gorkha Airlines has been in operation since 1996, serving Pokhara, Jomsom, Lukla, Bharatpur, Bhadrapur, Tumlingtar, Simara, and Bhairawa with two 19-seater Dornier 228s.

Nepal Airlines

Nepal's national flag carrier is yet to gain popularity despite having been established over three decades ago. The government-owned airline, however, has the most extensive network of domestic routes, serving virtually every remote district in the country. Royal Nepal operates its domestic network with a fleet of 19-seat Twin Otters and 44-seat Avro (HS-748) aircraft.