RAActive

Royal Nepal Airlines

Nepal · ROYAL NEPAL

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TravelerPulse profile

Nepal's national flag carrier connecting the Himalayas to the world.

Founded

1958

Headquarters

Kathmandu, Nepal

Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) is the flag carrier of Nepal, operating both domestic and international routes. Founded in 1958, it is one of the oldest airlines in South Asia and serves as the primary link between Nepal and key international destinations across Asia and the Middle East. The airline operates from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and provides essential domestic connectivity to remote mountain airstrips throughout Nepal, many of which are inaccessible by road. Its domestic network includes legendary high-altitude airports such as Lukla and Jomsom. Nepal Airlines has faced ongoing challenges including an aging fleet, financial difficulties, and periods of being banned from European Union airspace due to safety concerns. The airline has undertaken fleet renewal efforts in recent years, acquiring new narrowbody jets to modernize operations.

Hubs & network

Nepal Airlines operates primarily from Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu as its main hub.

Fleet

Nepal Airlines operates a small mixed fleet including Boeing 757s, ATR 42s, ATR 72s, and Twin Otter aircraft for domestic high-altitude routes.

Notable facts

›Nepal Airlines was founded in 1958 as Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation, dropping 'Royal' after Nepal became a republic in 2008.
›The airline has been on the EU Air Safety List, restricting its flights to European Union airspace due to safety concerns.
›Nepal Airlines serves some of the world's most challenging airports, including Tenzing-Hillary Airport (Lukla), often cited as one of the most dangerous airports globally.
›The airline operates both jet and propeller aircraft to serve Nepal's diverse terrain, from the Terai plains to high Himalayan valleys.
›Nepal Airlines is state-owned and plays a critical role in connecting remote communities with no road access.

Official website Wikipedia

This profile is provided for general information only. Contact details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airline's official website before acting on them.

Primary hubs

Tribhuvan International AirportKTM · 4 rts Suvarnabhumi AirportBKK · 1 rts Hamad International AirportDOH · 1 rts Hong Kong International AirportHKG · 1 rts Kuala Lumpur International AirportKUL · 1 rts

Route network map (8 legs)

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO

Route network

BKK → KTM757

DOH → KTM757

HKG → KTM757

KTM → BKK757

KTM → DOH757

KTM → HKG757

KTM → KUL757

KUL → KTM757

Fleet (aircraft types operated)

Boeing 7578 routes

Encyclopaedia

Nepal Airlines Corporation, formerly known as Royal Nepal Airlines, is the flag carrier of Nepal. Founded in 1958, it is the oldest airline of the country. Out of its main base at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, the airline operates domestic services within Nepal and medium-haul services in Asia. The airline's first aircraft was a Douglas DC-3, used to serve domestic routes and a handful of destinations in India. The airline acquired its first jet aircraft, Boeing 727s, in 1972. As of February 2023, the airline operates a fleet of six aircraft. Since 2013, the airline has been on the list of air carriers banned in the European Union due to safety concerns.

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