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Avion Thrust, Kathmandu (2026)

16/06/2026

All eight people on board a U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress were killed when the bomber crashed shortly after takeoff on Monday morning at Edwards Air Force Base in California’s Mojave Desert. The accident occurred around 11:20 a.m. local time during a routine test mission, with the aircraft bursting into flames immediately upon impact. Military officials confirmed that the crash was not survivable, and emergency responders are currently working at the scene. Among those who lost their lives were military personnel, government employees, and civilian contractors; Boeing has also confirmed that two of its employees were on the flight.

The aircraft involved was participating in a project to test a modernized radar system. Following the disaster, base officials suspended all non-commercial visitor passes and closed the airfield to allow for emergency operations and to begin an investigation into the cause of the crash. Colonel James Hayes, deputy commander at the base, described the incident as a "terrible tragedy," noting that the investigation process is expected to be lengthy, potentially taking up to six months to reach a final conclusion. California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and the entire community at Edwards Air Force Base.

The B-52 Stratofortress, a long-range strategic bomber that has been in service since the 1950s, is a cornerstone of American air power. Known for its ability to carry a massive payload of both conventional and nuclear weapons, the aircraft is highly versatile and capable of mid-air refueling for near-unlimited range. While aviation experts are already reviewing the incident to determine if a mechanical or control failure might have led to such an abrupt crash, the military has not yet determined the specific cause. The names of the deceased will be withheld until their families have been fully notified.

15/06/2026

The Airline Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) and the Aeronautical Society of Nepal (AeSN) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at fostering a safer, more unified, sustainable, and technology-driven aviation industry in Nepal. The agreement was formalized during a ceremony on Monday, where AOAN President Pratap Jung Pandey emphasized that this collaboration marks a significant milestone toward the long-term development and enhanced security of the country’s aviation sector. By aligning the interests of industry operators with technical expertise, the partnership seeks to bridge the gap between aviation service providers and the academic and technical communities.

The partnership intends to integrate modern advancements into Nepal’s aviation framework, specifically focusing on digital transformation, automation, data-driven decision-making, and the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Both organizations have committed to working together to address the evolving challenges of the global aviation industry and to ensure that Nepal's systems meet international standards. This initiative is designed to create a common platform for a wide range of stakeholders, including airline companies, airports, service providers, engineers, researchers, and students, facilitating the exchange of knowledge, innovation, and professional expertise.

President Pandey highlighted that this synergy between industry leaders and the technical community is poised to elevate Nepal’s aviation sector to new heights, significantly contributing to flight safety and service quality. By fostering a culture of collaboration, the initiative aims to build a more robust, future-ready aviation environment that can effectively navigate emerging trends and operational complexities. Moving forward, both organizations will prioritize capacity building, research, and joint policy advocacy to strengthen the overall competitiveness and safety profile of the Nepali aviation landscape.
Info: Capital Nepal

12/06/2026

Mukesh Dangol, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), recently told a parliamentary committee that Nepal must urgently rethink its aviation strategy, specifically regarding flight routes and how it funds airport construction. He argued that Nepal, being a landlocked country, should not become "sky-locked" due to a lack of flexible flight paths. Currently, most flights enter through a single point over Simara, creating heavy traffic. While there was a 2016 agreement with India to open additional routes via Mahendranagar, Bhairahawa, and Janakpur, these remain unimplemented due to technical delays. Dangol noted that talks have resumed following recent diplomatic visits, and technical teams from both countries are preparing to meet to finalize these routes.

Regarding airport infrastructure, Dangol issued a stark warning that Nepal’s heavy debt burden from building new international airports, like those in Bhairahawa and Pokhara, threatens to make the aviation authority financially unstable. He believes the country should stop building new airports for now and instead focus its limited funds on improving safety and upgrading the 55 airports already in existence. He emphasized that the current model of constant construction is unsustainable and urged the government to prioritize operational efficiency and safety over adding more debt-fueled infrastructure.

Finally, the Director General stressed that Nepal cannot rely solely on foreign airlines to keep its airports busy; it must actively support and grow domestic airlines. He compared the situation to setting up a shop but having no customers, noting that high taxes and VAT on aircraft imports discourage local investors. To fix this, he called for a more business-friendly environment that helps local carriers expand. He also reassured the committee that efforts are underway to resolve specific operational challenges, such as weather-related flight disruptions in Tumlingtar and infrastructure improvements at Tribhuvan International Airport, which are now being monitored through regular reports.
Info: Ratopati

11/06/2026

The Nepali Ambassador to Oman, Dornath Aryal, recently held a meeting with Oman Air’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Con Korfiatis, to discuss the possibility of restarting direct flights between the two countries. During the meeting, Ambassador Aryal formally requested the airline to resume its service connecting Muscat and Kathmandu. In a positive response, the CEO assured the Ambassador that Oman Air would conduct a formal study on the route and submit a proposal to their board for review as soon as possible.

To ensure smooth communication and coordination regarding this initiative, both sides have decided to appoint dedicated contact persons. Ambassador Aryal announced that the Nepali Embassy has designated First Secretary Bishesh Kumar Sah as the primary point of contact for this effort. Both parties expressed their commitment to working together to strengthen aviation ties, which would significantly improve travel and connectivity between Nepal and Oman.
Info: Baarhakhari

10/06/2026

Pokhara International Airport is set to enter a new era of global connectivity with the announcement that the airline FlyDubai has received official permission to operate regular flights. According to Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya, the airline is scheduled to begin daily direct flights between Pokhara and Dubai starting September 23, 2026. This development follows a successful technical and safety inspection of the airport facilities by FlyDubai’s aviation experts, who confirmed the site meets all necessary international standards.

The launch of this route is being hailed as a major milestone for the tourism capital of Nepal. By establishing a direct link to a major global aviation hub like Dubai, Pokhara will now have easier access to more than 300 cities across the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. Local officials and tourism entrepreneurs believe this will significantly boost international visitor numbers, making it easier for travelers to reach the lakeside city without needing to transit through Kathmandu.

Beyond tourism, the new service is expected to provide substantial economic benefits for the entire Gandaki Province. It will offer a much more convenient travel option for residents, business professionals, and those traveling for employment, effectively decentralizing air traffic from the capital. Local government leaders noted that this achievement is the result of persistent efforts to make the airport fully operational and are optimistic that this connection will mark a turning point for the region’s economic growth.
Info: Onlinekhabar

09/06/2026

In a significant move to boost national emergency preparedness, Buddha Air has officially handed over the fuselage of its retired ATR-72 aircraft (MSN-535) to the Nepal Army. The handover ceremony took place on Monday at the Buddha Air hangar located at Tribhuvan International Airport, where the company’s Executive Chairman, Birendra Bahadur Basnet, presented the aircraft body to Major General Anup Jung Thapa, the Chief of the Directorate of Military Operations. Buddha Air had retired this specific aircraft from commercial service several months ago after it successfully completed 70,000 flight cycles.

During the event, Chairman Basnet expressed his pride in supporting the Nepal Army, noting that the military plays a vital role in disaster management, infrastructure development, and national security. He highlighted that the fuselage is intended to serve as a crucial training tool, allowing the army to simulate various emergency scenarios, including aircraft accidents and other security threats. By using this decommissioned aircraft, the Nepal Army can significantly enhance its readiness and response capabilities during potential real-world aviation emergencies.

Prem Nath Thakur, Deputy Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), praised the initiative, stating that this donation would provide the military with a practical platform for conducting essential safety drills and threat-response training. He further commended Buddha Air for its ongoing collaboration with aviation authorities to ensure the highest standards of safety and preparedness. The donated fuselage will now become a key component of the airport’s emergency response training programs.
Info: Capital Nepal

04/06/2026

Travelers planning to fly between Pokhara and Jomsom will need to adjust their itineraries, as regular air services on this mountain route have been suspended for the next three months. Starting June 3, private airlines including Tara Air and Summit Air have officially stopped their scheduled flights. This move is a standard seasonal adjustment made every year to ensure passenger safety as the region enters the rainy months.

The decision to pause flights is primarily driven by the challenging weather conditions brought on by the summer monsoon. Heavy rainfall and frequent low visibility in the high-altitude mountain passes make it difficult and dangerous for small aircraft to navigate the route safely. Additionally, because this period sees a significant drop in tourist arrivals, airlines have chosen to halt operations until the weather stabilizes and the peak trekking season begins again.

For those needing to travel to or from Mustang during this period, road transport remains the primary alternative. The Beni-Jomsom highway is available for public and private vehicles, though road conditions can often be affected by rain. While private helicopter charters may still operate if weather permits, scheduled commercial flights are not expected to resume until early September.
Info: Nepal Press

04/06/2026

The aviation industry in Nepal is facing a severe crisis as a 13% Value Added Tax (VAT) on aircraft and spare parts—introduced in the fiscal year 2080/81—continues to hinder fleet expansion. Airline operators argue that this "short-sighted" fiscal policy imposes an insurmountable financial barrier, as companies are required to pay the massive VAT amount upfront. Unlike standard business expenses, this upfront tax burden cannot be easily offset by bank loans, leaving many airlines unable to finalize purchase plans despite a growing demand for air connectivity.

Industry leaders, including executives from Himalayan Airlines and Summit Air, have criticized the move, noting that major neighboring aviation markets like India and China do not impose such taxes on aircraft procurement. The cost impact is staggering: for a narrow-body A320, the tax alone adds over NPR 2 billion to the procurement price. Operators emphasize that while the VAT is theoretically refundable through monthly business cycles, the immense liquidity required upfront creates a cash-flow trap, effectively forcing even established carriers to abandon expansion plans.

This policy has created a paradoxical situation for the industry. While the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has set ambitious targets for airlines to increase their fleet size by 2085, the persistent tax burden has caused several companies, including Danfe Air, Yeti Airlines, and Shree Airlines, to pause their acquisition efforts. With the exception of a few dominant players capable of managing the tax credit, the majority of the sector remains in a state of stagnation, struggling to balance regulatory requirements against the prohibitive costs of importing essential aviation assets.
Info: Capital Nepal

03/06/2026

Nepal’s national flag carrier, Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC), has seen a healthy boost in its earnings, bringing in NPR 14.58 billion from flights during the first ten months of the current fiscal year. According to the airline's latest report, this marks a 10% increase compared to the same period last year, when earnings stood at NPR 13.12 billion. Management attributes this steady financial improvement to recent leadership changes within the organization.

While the overall yearly trend is positive, the airline faced a few bumps along the way due to international events. In the Nepali month of Chaitra (mid-March to mid-April), monthly revenue dropped to NPR 1.44 billion, down from NPR 1.54 billion during the same month last year. Officials explained that ongoing conflicts in West Asia disrupted scheduled flights to major Gulf destinations, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

However, the airline bounced back strongly the following month. In Baisakh (mid-April to mid-May), revenue soared to NPR 1.97 billion, a massive jump from the NPR 1.43 billion collected in the same month last year.
Info: Bizness News

03/06/2026

Fly Dubai’s Vice President of Aviation Safety, Adrian Lucaci, has held a high-level meeting with Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor, Dhanraj Acharya, to discuss launching international flights to the scenic city. The discussions focused on establishing direct flight routes between Dubai and Pokhara, boosting mutual tourism, and assessing airport safety standards. Lucaci, a seasoned aviation expert with over 20 years of experience, expressed strong interest in connecting Fly Dubai with Pokhara, noting that direct flights would significantly boost tourism and that he was deeply impressed by the city's natural beauty.

During the meeting, Mayor Acharya urged the airline to take active steps toward starting regular flights, emphasizing that direct air connectivity is vital for promoting Pokhara as Nepal's tourism capital. He reassured the visiting team that the Pokhara International Airport is fully equipped and ready for international operations, citing several successful charter flights that have already landed there. The meeting, which also included Pokhara's Chief Administrative Officer Muktiram Aryal and Tourism Year Coordinator Gopi Bahadur Bhattarai, is seen as a positive step toward finally utilizing the airport to its full potential.

Built with Chinese assistance at a cost of over 22 billion rupees, Pokhara International Airport was officially inaugurated in January 2023. However, despite its grand opening and state-of-the-art facilities, the airport has struggled to secure regular international commercial traffic and is currently limited to domestic flights only. Local authorities are hopeful that this fresh dialogue with Fly Dubai will pave the way for regular international operations, putting Pokhara directly on the global aviation map.

Info: RSS

Avion Thrust

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