The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has directed all domestic carriers to introduce substantial airfare concessions for senior citizens, marking a discount structure of a minimum of 50% discount for all people who have either crossed the age of seventy or are suffering from disabilities.
-070A2336.jpg){kind=link}
The decision was reached in a meeting at CAAN’s headquarters in Kathmandu, chaired by Director General Pradeep Adhikari and attended by the Airlines Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) and representatives of domestic airlines. The policy’s genesis was CAAN’s stated ambition to enhance accessibility for all citizens in remote areas and reinforce inclusive air travel.
Lukla: 5 Fast Facts About The World’s Most Dangerous Airport
Discount Structure for Nepali Senior Citizens
CAAN’s directive stipulates that domestic airlines must apply the discount bands based on age, referencing the maximum fare framework established by the Nepali government.
| Passenger Category | Age / Condition | Discount on Domestic Airfares |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Citizens | 70 and above | 50% |
| Senior Citizens | 75 and above | 70% |
| Senior Citizens | 80 and above | 80% |
| Persons with Disabilities | Any age | Minimum 50% |
It is hoped that the discounted fares are going to increase the number of older people and people with disabilities have greater access to air travel. If the number of senior citizens and people with disabilities traveling through Nepalese airports increase, the aerodromes in the nation might also have to work on being more accessible.
This would see Nepalese airports implement methods to improve accessibility such as:
- Providing wheelchair assistance (to board and deboard the plane) and escorting differently abled people, for instance blind ones to the terminal(s).
- Shuttle buses inside the airport must be able to offer securement systems for passengers with wheelchairs.
Not just Lukla and Kathmandu: A look at the main airports of Nepal
Note that not every airport in Nepal has a shuttle service. Most airports in the Himalayan region of Nepal, such as Lukla for example, or its surrogate airport Phaplu, are really small and do not have shuttle services. Tribhuvan International Airport, which could have been torched during the Gen-Z protests in Nepal, does provide shuttle services, but CAAN is not really clear as to how the services at the airports are going to get better to accommodate older people and/or people with such
Implementation of Discounted Airfare for Nepali Citizens on Domestic Flights
CAAN’s announcement made it clear that airlines must implement the new discounts from the date of the directive, following the meeting held on 19 October 2025 in Kathmandu. Director General Pradeep Adhikari was quoted in My People’s Review as having said:
This decision will ensure that senior citizens and differently abled passengers have greater access to air travel, promoting their mobility and participation in society.
Domestic carriers have been instructed to update their ticketing systems, especially during the festive season in Nepal, when carriers tend to charge four or five times the airfares in non-festive season. Take for example, the Kathmandu – Dhangadhi route, where people can find fares for up to NRs 3500 (approximately $25) for as much as Rs 17,000 (approximately $121).
After strong criticism of what was seen as arbitrarily set fares, three major airlines that operate on the Kathmandu – Dhangadhi route, Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, and Shree Airlines, brought down set maximum fare of Rs 17,000 Rs 12,500 (approximately $90), reported My Republica:
” With public complaints growing over expensive airfares, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has repeatedly instructed airlines to keep fares reasonable. In light of the surge in holiday travelers, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation recently held talks with CAAN officials and airline representatives to address the issue and ensure smoother travel during Dashain.”
Previous Incidents of Airlines Providing Discounted Fares for Senior Citizens
| Year | Authority / Carrier | Discount Offered | Age/Condition | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Nepal Airlines Corporation | ~50% | Senior citizens 70+ |
|
| Present | Air India special scheme | ~ 10%- 25% | Senior citizens 75+ |
|
| 17th November, 2024 | Cathay Pacific | 15 – 25% | For residents of Hong Kong or Macau aged 65 or above. |
On “Business, Premium Economy and Economy Class” tickets to selected CX online destinations |
This table places Nepal’s most recent initiative of providing a discount of more than 50% for its senior citizens in light of other, previous schemes by other nations. It seems that other initiatives were more limited in scope, often temporary or regional, whereas the current directive is comprehensive and structural.
Looking at a Few Things that Need to be Clarified for Discounted Fares for Senior Citizens in Nepal
Various Airlines in India such as IndiGo & Spicejet offer a concession of 6% to senior citizens. However, this discount applies for bookings made through the company website or mobile application. GoAir’s concession rate is slightly higher at 8%. While the above table shows Air India’s 50% discount to senior citizens, HDFC notes that the carrier provides a 50% discount “on flight booking is only through the airline’s website“.
The bank further makes notes of two things in the discounted fares given by Air India:
-
“all other taxes, fees, and convenience charges over and above the base flight rate are payable by the senior citizen”.
-
“It is to be noted that the number of discount flights and seats offered is at the discretion of the airline, so it is not possible to predict the number of seats available.”
Thes two points might be pertinent in the case of the newly proposed discounted airfares for citizens in Nepal. We don’t quite know if the taxes, fees, and convenience charges over and above the base flight rate are payable by the senior citizen, nor do we know if there is a limit on the number if discounted flights and seats offered.
All in All
Nepal is a country that doesn’t have a budget airline, all of the carriers that exist here are legacy carriers, so the chance of finding low airfares that are typical on budget airlines are non-existent.
How do budget airlines keep their costs low? – Avio Space budget airlines
And providing discounted fares for senior citizens isn’t a novelty either. Carriers in India, in the UK and the US are known for providing discounted airfares for senior citizens. The idea isn’t novel for Nepal either, as before the Covid-19 brought the aviation community to a standstill for almost a year, Nepal had floated the idea of discounted airfares for its senior citizens. Whether there are going to be any difficulties in implementing such a law in Nepal is something to watch out for.
This seems like a belated but thoughtful decision, although I can foresee some hiccups with the variety of discount structures. Anyway, shyabaas! for the initiative.