Nepal Airlines, also known as Nepal Airways, is the national flag carrier airline of Nepal. It is wholly owned by the government of Nepal and headquartered in Kathmandu. The airline was first established in July 1958 and has since grown to become one of the leading air carriers in the region.

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History

Nepal Airlines was initially established by His Majesty’s Government in July 1958. The first aircraft used by the airline was a single Douglas DC-3, which was leased from Indian Airlines. This was followed by the purchase of two more DC-3s in the same year. The airline was initially used to transport goods and passengers between Kathmandu and other major cities in Nepal.

The airline further expanded its fleet in 1961 with the purchase of two De Havilland Herons, which were used to connect Kathmandu to other parts of the country. In 1969, the airline purchased a Fokker F27 Friendship aircraft, which allowed it to operate international flights to India and Bangladesh.

In 1976, Nepal Airlines acquired two Boeing 727-100 aircraft to further expand its international routes. The airline also acquired two Fokker F28 Fellowship aircraft in 1981 in order to increase its domestic services.

Fleet

Today, Nepal Airlines operates a fleet of seven Airbus A320-200 aircraft and two ATR 72-600 aircraft. The airline also operates two Boeing 757-200 aircraft, two Boeing 757-300 aircraft and two Airbus A330-200 aircraft for its international routes.

Important Milestones

1. In 1982, Nepal Airlines became the first airline in South Asia to operate an Airbus A320-200 aircraft.

2. In 1990, the airline became the first to introduce jet engines in Nepal.

3. In 2002, Nepal Airlines launched its first international route from Kathmandu to Bangkok.

4. In 2009, the airline launched its first long-haul international route from Kathmandu to Dubai.

5. In 2012, Nepal Airlines became the first airline in South Asia to launch an online booking system.

Evolution

In the early years, Nepal Airlines was a relatively small airline with a limited fleet and routes. However, over the years, the airline has evolved to become a major player in the region. The airline has increased its fleet size and expanded its network to destinations in India, China, Thailand, Malaysia and the Middle East.

The airline has also made strides in modernizing its fleet and services. In recent years, the airline has acquired modern Airbus and ATR aircraft, installed an online booking system and introduced a loyalty program for its frequent customers.

Incidents

Nepal Airlines has been involved in a number of incidents over the years. In 1992, a Nepal Airlines Boeing 757-200 overran the runway at Tribhuvan International Airport, resulting in the death of all 113 people on board. In 2011, a Nepal Airlines Airbus A320-200 overran the runway at Kathmandu Airport, resulting in no casualties. In 2016, the airline was involved in a fatal crash in Lukla, resulting in the death of 18 people on board.

In addition, Nepal Airlines has been the subject of numerous federal investigations. In 2017, the airline was found to be in violation of a number of safety regulations. The airline was also found to be operating its aircraft beyond their service life and operating aircraft without proper maintenance. As a result, the airline was forced to suspend all operations until it could address the issues raised by the investigation.

Conclusion

Nepal Airlines is the national flag carrier of Nepal and has been in operation since 1958. Over the years, the airline has evolved to become a major player in the region, with a fleet of modern aircraft and an expanding route network. The airline has been involved in a number of incidents over the years, including a number of fatal crashes and federal investigations. Despite these issues, Nepal Airlines remains a vital part of the country’s aviation industry.