Nepal is a land of many distinctions in aviation – it is a nation where almost a third of the airports are either abandoned/ non- functional, it houses what is labelled as the most dangerous airport in the world, it has a long-forgotten airport that was more dangerous than Lukla Airport, an airport that could also have been the emptiest airport in the world, among others.

There have been quite a few airliners in the past which used to operate in STOLports such as the Hillary Airport but don’t function anymore. We previously touched upon the main fix-wing operators in 2025 but in this article, we’ll also touch upon rotorcraft operators in Nepal for 2025.

Buddha Air

Buddha Air, whose name derives from “Buddha”, the peace emblem of Nepal, is the biggest airline in Nepal. It is also perceived to be the safest. 

Buddha air operates two kind of aircraft: ATR 42 and ATR 72.       

Buddha Air conducts more than 160 flights a day and was also listed in the list of carriers from Asia that have the most flight cycles.

Yeti Airlines 

Yeti Airlines was established in May 1998 – “Yeti” referring to the ape-like creature purported to inhabit the Himalayan region in Asia.

 Yeti Airlines has obtained the ISSA (IATA Standard Safety Assessment) certification for international safety standards, which highlights the airline’s unwavering commitment to the highest standards of aviation safety.

In 2009, Yeti’s sister airline Tara Air was established to take over the Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) operations with the DHC 6 – 300 and Dornier DO228 aircraft fleet

Fleet Size	7
Current Aircraft Type	ATR 42

 Yeti Airlines became the first airline,and most probably South Asia, to successfully reduce and offset its total Greenhouse Gas. UNDP congratulated Yeti Airlines on becoming the first carbon-neutral airline in Nepal after having successfully met the international UN approach to carbon neutrality            

Nepal Airlines                                         

Nepal Airlines started as Royal Nepal Airline in July 1958. In October 1959 Royal Nepal. Royal Nepal airline carried nearly 197,000 passengers in 1970.

Nepal Airlines currently operates flights in 10 different countries and 38 domestic destinations from its main hub at Tribhuvan International Airport.

Current Fleet Size	4
Current Aircraft Type	Airbus A320-200 and De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter

 

 Sita Air

Sita air was established in 2002 Sita Air is mostly known for regular STOL flights like Lukla to the remote mountain location of Nepal catering to visiting international tourists as well as locals.

Current Fleet Size	4
Current Aircraft Type	Dornier Do-228-202 and Dornier Do-228-212

 Shree Airlines        

Shree Airline is the second largest by fleet size, established in 1999. The airline was originally called Air Ananya and was later renamed as Shree Airlines. 

In 2017 Shree Airlines expands its aviation offering to include passenger services in Nepal. With the introduction of a fleet of Bombardier CRJ aircraft

Current Fleet Size	11
Current Aircraft Type	Bombardier CRJ-100 Series and Bombardier CRJ-700

   

Shree Airlines is one of the first private airlines in Nepal to operate chartered helicopter services. The largest operator of Mi-17 helicopters in south-east Asia, with a fleet that also includes AS 350 B3e helicopters.

Current Helicopter Fleet Size	10
Current Helicopter Type	MI-17 and Eurocopter AS350 B3e

Summit Air 

             

Summit Air is known as Goma Air. Summit Air has been in operation since February 24, 2011. Summit Air started its operation with two Cessna grand caravans as air taxi operators from its SURKHET base.

The first time in Nepal’s aviation history this is a brand new multi-engine turboprop aircraft which was imported by a Nepali company to be operated in STOL airfield.     

Summit Air have also partnered with Fishtail Air which operates helicopter.With a fleet of three helicopters, which includes one AS 350 B3e “Ecureuil”, one AS 350 B3+ “Ecureuil” and one Bell 206B III Jet Ranger helicopter.

Saurya Airlines

Saurya Airlines was established on August 2014 with jet services in domestic routes of Nepal. Currently, the airline serves 5 domestic destinations with 3 aircraft 

Current Fleet Size	3
Current Aircraft Type	Bombardier CRJ-200

 

Guna Airlines

Guna Airlines was established in 2009 and used to provide mountain flight experience with a fleet of 4 aircraft.                   

Current Fleet Size	4
Current Aircraft Type	British Aerospace Jetstream 41

 

Now let’s have a look about the helicopters operators of Nepal 

Air Dynasty Heli Service

The helicopter company was established in 1993.It is the oldest among a few operators of light helicopters and the operators of Ecureuil helicopters in private aviation in Nepal.

Current Helicopter Fleet Size	4
Current Helicopter Type	Ecureuil As350

 Altitude Air

Altitude Air obtained operating license in 2015, but they started their service in 2016.

Current Helicopter Fleet Size	2
Current Helicopter Type	Airbus H-125

Heli Everest

Heli Everest commercial operations was on December 9, 2016. This helicopter operator has clocked completed 14,000 flight time till now.

Current Helicopter Fleet Size	4
Current Helicopter Type	AS350 B3e

                      Kailash Helicopter Services 

Kailash Helicopters started their service in 2017. they offer you different kind of air service such as:

• Human Sling Operation
• Cargo Sling Operation
• Medical evacuation
• Rescue.

Current Helicopter Fleet Size	3
Current Helicopter Type	AS350 B3

  Manang Air 

Manang air was founded in 1997. Their helicopters are supported by Turbomeca 2D1 engines especially for high altitude performance maintained by specialized manpower and 100 percent quality maintenance with accident-free flying hours.

Current Helicopter Fleet Size	2
Current Helicopter Type	AS350 B3 (H125)

                         Mountain Helicopters Pvt. Ltd.

Since 2009 Mountain Helicopters are give their air service in Nepal, with flying experience of over 10 years and an accumulated average of over 5000 flying hours in high altitude areas & mountainous terrain.

Current Helicopter Fleet Size	3
Current Helicopter Type	AS 350 B2, AS 350 B3e and

 Mustang Helicopter 

Mustang Helicopter started their journey two decades ago it is one of the biggest company by there fleet 

Current Helicopter Fleet Size	7
Current Helicopter Type	ASTAR 350 B2 B3, ASTAR 355 F2, BELL 205A1, BELL 212 HP, BELL 214B1and BELL407

Prabhu Helicopter

Prabhu Helicopter Ltd is under the umbrella of the PRABHU GROUP, they  started their journey in 2015 .the airline was the first airline of Nepal to introduce the Robinson R66 in Nepal.

Current Helicopter Fleet Size
Current Helicopter Type	Ecureuil As350