Himalayan Airlines begins flights to Beijing

Kathmandu, June 24

Himalaya Airlines has launched scheduled flight operations between Kathmandu and Beijing, China.

“The new service will provide a convenient and efficient travel option for passengers. We believe that the resumption of this flight route will be a significant boost to both Nepalese tourism and trade,” said the company in a statement on Saturday.

The Kathmandu-Beijing-Kathmandu route commenced on June 24, operating every Saturday. Nepal's Ambassador to China, Bishnu Pukar Shrestha, boarded the first flight, and the company said it represented growing friendship and cooperation between the two nations.

The first outbound flight, H9 665, departed from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu at 7:40 hours (local time) and reached at Beijing Daxing International Airport at 14:15 hours (local time) in Beijing, with a flight duration of 4 hours and 45 minutes.

Likewise, the return flight, H9 666, departed from Beijing at 15:25 hours (local time) and landed in Kathmandu at 18:30 hours (local time).

"We view the resumption of flights on this route post COVID-19 pandemic is significantly important as it connects two ancient capital cities of the region and that it will be fruitful to rejuvenate tourism growth between the two countries," said Vijay Shrestha, Vice-President, Himalaya Airlines.

According to him, this new route not only strengthens the company’s presence in the international market but also provides a convenient travel option for both business and leisure travelers.

Meanwhile, the Embassy of Nepal in Beijing said in a statement that the resumption of direct flight service between Kathmandu and Beijing plays a significant role in promoting tourism, socio-economic and cultural relations between Nepal and China.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 28 June 2023.