Two new aviation companies are preparing to enter Nepal’s domestic airline industry after receiving approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to import aircraft. Following the issuance of no-objection certificates, both operators have stepped up efforts to begin commercial services, according to reports from Nepali media outlet Clickmandu.
The two companies -- Sagarmatha Air and Danphe Airlines -- had previously secured operational approval from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation before applying to CAAN for flight permits. They have now moved ahead with plans to build their fleets and complete the remaining regulatory requirements.
Sagarmatha Air is preparing to launch helicopter services with the acquisition of an Airbus AS350 B3 helicopter that was formerly operated by Mountain Helicopters. The company is backed by a group led by Janak Thapa and Ishwar Lamichhane. Sources at CAAN said the helicopter purchase has already been finalised.
However, the airline still needs to complete several formal procedures, including documentation related to ownership transfer and operational certification. Mountain Helicopters General Manager DB Oli confirmed the sale, saying the transfer process had already been completed. He added that despite selling one helicopter, Mountain Helicopters plans to expand its operations by bringing in additional aircraft. According to Oli, the company currently has three helicopters remaining in its fleet.
At the same time, Danphe Airlines is also advancing preparations to become a new competitor in Nepal’s scheduled domestic aviation market. The airline is planning to acquire three Jetstream aircraft from Guna Airlines, whose fleet has remained grounded because of internal management problems.
A senior Guna Airlines official said negotiations over the sale of three aircraft from its five-plane fleet are nearing completion. The planes were previously purchased from Yeti Airlines and operated for some time before being offered for sale. Danphe Airlines is now completing banking and financial procedures ahead of the formal ownership transfer.
Danphe Airlines has also announced an ambitious expansion strategy for the coming years. The company aims to operate seven ATR aircraft along with three Jetstream planes within the next three years. While the Jetstream aircraft are expected to serve regional routes, the airline has identified ATR aircraft as its primary focus for future expansion.
The airline is promoted by a group of aviation professionals and former Guna Airlines executives, including Raju Shrestha, Abhishekman Shrestha, Prakash Kandel and Captain Kosh Bahadur Thapa.
ATT Desk Report
