The high-altitude history of Nepal's flag carrier
In short: From serving remote mountain routes with Chinese Harvesters to navigating complex geopolitical aid, Nepal Airlines has been a cornerstone of the nation's connectivity. Its journey is marked by a unique blend of state-led expansion, significant commercial scandals, and even ritualistic offerings to appease gods of the sky.
Founded in 1958 as Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation, the carrier began with a single Douglas DC-3. Its early growth was defined by Nepal's unique geography and geopolitics; the fleet became a 'politically mixed' collection often financed through aid programs from manufacturing countries. By the 1960s, the airline expanded into remote regions using Pilatus Porter STOL aircraft and Chinese Feng Shou-2 Harvesters, while also operating Russian Mi-4 helicopters to reach isolated points. The company initially served destinations like Patna and Calcutta in India. It also reached Dhaka in what was then East Pakistan. From 1959 until 1964, the collection grew by an additional five DC-3 models.
The late 20th century saw a shift toward modernization and commercial pressure. In 1972, the airline entered the jet age with Boeing 727s, eventually replacing them with Boeing 757s in 1987. During this era, it became a major economic engine, becoming the country's largest employer and primary earner of foreign currency by the late 1980s. However, this growth was shadowed by controversy, including allegations of cronyism in the early 1990s and a 2000 scandal involving an expensive lease for a Boeing 767 from Austria's Lauda Air. By 1985, eighty percent of Nepal's 181,000 tourist visitors arrived by air. The airline held a peak market share of 50 percent in 1979. It also faced competition from new entrants like Singapore Airlines and Lufthansa.
In recent years, the airline has transitioned toward an Airbus-only fleet. In 2015, it received its first Airbus A320, named 'Sagarmatha,' which arrived carrying five tonnes of aid for earthquake relief. Despite these advancements and a period between 2000 and 2010 with no accidents—the longest such streak in its history—the airline remains on the European Union's banned list due to safety concerns since 2013. The carrier retired its Xian MA60 and Harbin Y-12 aircraft in July 2020 because they were unsuitable for local operations. In mid-March, it retired its final Boeing 757-200M to focus on Airbus jets. The airline also operates regional hubs at Biratnagar, Nepalgunj, and Pokhara.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Nepal Airlines
- Also: Wikidata — Nepal Airlines · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — Nepal Airlines Flight 183 · CC0
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