Kathmandu: Two new aviation companies are preparing to enter Nepal’s domestic airline sector after receiving approval to import aircraft from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). Following the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs), both operators have accelerated preparations to launch services.
Sagarmatha Air and Danphe Airlines, which had already secured operating approval from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and subsequently applied to CAAN for flight operation permits, have now begun arranging aircraft for their fleets.
Sagarmatha Airlines is preparing to launch helicopter operations by acquiring an Airbus AS350 B3 helicopter previously operated by Mountain Helicopters.
The company is being promoted by a group led by Janak Thapa and Ishwar Lamichhane. According to sources at CAAN, Sagarmatha Air has already completed the purchase of the helicopter from Mountain Helicopters.
CAAN officials said the company is yet to formally complete the remaining regulatory procedures, including submitting documentation related to the transfer of ownership and operational certification.
Mountain Helicopters General Manager DB Oli confirmed that Sagarmatha had purchased one of the company’s helicopters. According to him, the ownership transfer process has already been completed. “We now have only three helicopters left. Although Mountain sold one helicopter, we are moving ahead with plans to expand operations by bringing in additional helicopters,” he said.
Meanwhile, Danphe Airlines, which aims to become a competitive player in Nepal’s scheduled domestic aviation market, has also moved ahead with aircraft acquisition plans. The company is preparing to purchase three aircraft from Guna Airlines, whose fleet has remained grounded due to internal management difficulties.
A senior official at Guna Airlines told Clickmandu that discussions regarding the sale of three Jetstream aircraft out of the airline’s five-plane fleet are close to a final agreement.
According to the official, the aircraft were previously acquired by Guna from Yeti Airlines and operated for a certain period before being put up for sale. Danphe is currently completing banking and financial procedures before formally transferring ownership of the aircraft.
Danphe Airlines has outlined an ambitious expansion plan, targeting a fleet of seven ATR aircraft and an additional three Jetstream aircraft within the next three years. The airline has identified ATR aircraft as its primary priority and said preparations for their acquisition are already underway.
A senior official at Danphe said the airline intends to operate Jetstream aircraft for regional routes, but its main strategic focus remains on introducing ATR aircraft. The management team is also preparing to inspect the aircraft being considered for purchase.
Although talks with Guna Airlines regarding the aircraft deal are ongoing, the required formal procedures have not yet been fully finalized.
Danphe Airlines is being promoted by a group of aviation professionals, including several former Guna Airlines executives and long-time aviation sector figures. The airline’s leadership group includes Raju Shrestha, Abhishekman Shrestha, Prakash Kandel and Captain Kosh Bahadur Thapa.
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