Nepal Airlines, formerly known as Royal Nepal Airlines, is the flag carrier airline of Nepal. The airline was founded in July 1958 as a joint venture between the Government of Nepal and Indian Airlines Corporation, with the aim of providing air services within Nepal and to neighboring countries.
Nepal Airlines began its operations with a single DC-3 aircraft, flying to destinations such as Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Simara. In the 1960s and 1970s, the airline expanded its fleet and route network, adding new destinations in India, Bangladesh, and Thailand, and acquiring new aircraft such as the Fokker F27 Friendship and the Hawker Siddeley HS 748.
In 1972, the airline was rebranded as Royal Nepal Airlines, and the following year, it became the first airline in South Asia to operate a jet aircraft, a Boeing 727. In the 1980s, the airline continued to expand, adding new routes to Europe and the Middle East, and acquiring new aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and the Boeing 757.
However, in the 1990s and 2000s, Nepal Airlines faced several challenges, including financial difficulties, safety concerns, and political instability in Nepal. The airline's operations were affected by some accidents and incidents, including a crash in 1992 that killed all 167 passengers and crew onboard and a hijacking in 1973.
In recent years, Nepal Airlines has undergone a restructuring process to improve its safety, efficiency, and profitability. The airline has retired its older aircraft and replaced them with new, more modern planes, such as the Airbus A330-200 . The airline has also introduced new routes, such as direct flights from Kathmandu to Tokyo and Seoul, and has focused on improving its customer service and in-flight experience. Today, Nepal Airlines operates flights to over 10 destinations, including Bangkok, Delhi, Doha, and Kuala Lumpur.