Kathmandu. Buddha Air has started commercial flights with a new series ATR-72-600 aircraft. The aircraft with call sign 9N-AOS made its first commercial flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj on Friday morning.
Buddha Air took off from Kathmandu airport at 8:06 am with 66 passengers on board.
Buddha Air had brought the aircraft to Nepal from Toulouse, France on July 25. After that, it took about a month to complete the necessary technical and regulatory process and complete the painting work.
The new ATR-72-600 is equipped with a full glass cockpit, modern navigation system, digital flight management and advanced safety system. Due to its low fuel consumption, this series is considered to be a relatively eco-friendly aircraft.
The aircraft is also equipped with an RNP-AR navigation system. This will facilitate take-off and landing even in low visibility conditions under the required standards and procedures, the company said.
The passenger seat and overhead bin are larger than the previous series. Buddha Air says that due to the improvement in the design of the aircraft, the noise pollution will also be less than the previous series.
Preparing to bring an additional ATR-72-600
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Buddha Air is preparing to bring one more ATR-72-600 aircraft in the next few days. With the addition of new aircraft, the flight and maintenance schedule will be further strengthened.
At present, Buddha Air has a fleet of 14 ATR-72-500 and one ATR-72-600. The company has already flown two ATR aircraft in the past.
Buddha Air has been operating more than 140 flights daily. On the international side, it operates flights from Kathmandu to Varanasi of India three days a week and Kolkata four days a week. Flights are also operating from Pokhara to Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj.
{{TAG_OPEN_strong_50}Cheap fare till Dashain, Tihar and Chhath
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Buddha Air has said that it will operate flights at minimum fare after the road traffic has been affected due to damage to the highway and road infrastructure.
According to Executive Chairman Birendra Bahadur Basnet, the new fare will be maintained until the smooth movement of the road and till Dashain, Tihar and Chhath.
“It is our responsibility to provide an alternative to the passengers for easy transportation through the air bridge when there is a problem in road movement due to natural disaster,” Basnet said, “Therefore, we have decided to operate flights at minimum fare until the highway becomes comfortable.” ’
According to Basnet, although the company has to bear financial burden while operating flights at a cheap fare, it should contribute to the nation in the current situation.
“Some years there may be losses, some years there may be profits. Tomorrow morning will be golden again,” he said, “In the current situation, we all should contribute wholeheartedly.” ’
Aviation fuel price hiked by 96 per cent
According to Buddha Air, the share of aviation fuel in the total operating cost of aviation is about 35 to 40 percent. In the last seven months, the price of aviation fuel has increased by about 96 percent.
The price of aviation fuel has increased from Rs 127 per liter in February 2026 to Rs 249 in August 2026. In the same period, the fare between Kathmandu and Bhairahawa has increased from Rs 5,700 to Rs 6,500.
Although there might be some delay in flights due to adverse weather and air traffic, Buddha Air is committed to safely reach the passengers, Basnet said.
7,322 kg of relief material free transportation
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Buddha Air has been transporting relief materials collected from various districts free of cost to the areas affected by floods and natural disasters.
So far, 7,322 kg of relief materials have been transported free of cost and handed over to the concerned authorities, the Company shared.
A total of 105 kg of relief materials have been supplied from Bhadrapur, 2,188 kg from Bharatpur, 120 kg from Surkhet, 1,665 kg from Dhangadhi and 272 kg from Biratnagar.
Similarly, 2,048 kg of relief materials were flown from Bhairahawa, 755 kg from Simara and Pokhara and 26 kg from Nepalgunj.
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