Kathmandu: Nepal’s domestic aviation market is preparing to welcome a new player as Danfe Airlines moves ahead with plans to launch commercial operations from this coming October, targeting the peak Dashain travel season.
Backed by an ambitious fleet expansion strategy and a promise of upgraded passenger service, the airline is positioning itself as a fresh challenger in the country’s increasingly competitive internal air travel sector.
Danfe Airlines is being built on the foundation of Makalu Air, a single-engine carrier acquired in 2023 and brought under new management for a complete operational transformation. The company has already secured the required No Objection Certificate from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal to import aircraft and is now in the process of purchasing modern ATR 72-600 turboprops for its initial phase of service.
According to the airline’s Accountable Manager, Captain Kosh Bahadur Thapa, preparations are already underway on multiple fronts, including aircraft procurement, pilot recruitment and staffing arrangements. He said the company aims to begin commercial flights by Dashain and that its team will travel within the next two weeks for final aircraft inspection before delivery.
Captain Thapa said Danfe expects to bring its first aircraft under its own brand by mid-August and complete all operational readiness procedures in time for the festive season. The airline is working toward launching with three aircraft before Dashain. Unlike many ATR aircraft currently operating in Nepal, Danfe’s incoming fleet will feature more advanced glass cockpit technology, along with eight to ten premium passenger seats designed to offer a more comfortable travel experience.
The company has chosen Pokhara as its primary operating base, signalling a strong focus on strengthening provincial air connectivity rather than relying solely on Kathmandu-centric routes. From Pokhara, Danfe plans to operate direct flights to cities including Mahendranagar, Bhadrapur, Bharatpur, Bhairahawa and Simara. It is also preparing to connect Kathmandu with several key urban airports across the country.
Over the next three years, Danfe intends to expand its fleet to a total of ten aircraft — seven ATRs and three Jetstream planes. The smaller Jetstream aircraft will be deployed on short-runway sectors such as Bharatpur, Simara and Tumlingtar, while ATRs will serve larger regional destinations.
The route network proposal submitted to the Civil Aviation Authority includes flights from Kathmandu to Mountain, Tumlingtar, Bhadrapur, Biratnagar, Janakpur, Simara, Pokhara, Bharatpur, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Surkhet and Dhangadhi, giving the airline a nationwide footprint from the outset.
Although rising global fuel prices and increasing operational costs have made Nepal’s domestic airline market a difficult battleground, Danfe says it is confident that newer aircraft technology and improved service standards will help it carve out a loyal passenger base. Captain Thapa said the airline’s arrival would provide Nepali travellers with greater choice and better-quality domestic service.
Danfe’s market entry is expected to intensify competition with long-established domestic carriers such as Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines and Shree Airlines, all of which have dominated or steadily expanded within Nepal’s internal aviation network in recent years.
Under Civil Aviation Authority regulations, any airline receiving import approval must bring its aircraft into operation within one year. Alongside Danfe Airlines, Heli Nepal, and Sagarmatha Helicopter have also obtained similar approvals. Among them, Sagarmatha has already purchased one helicopter from Mountain Helicopters, and the transfer process into its own name is currently underway.
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