Himalaya Airlines starts flight services to Chongqing

Kathmandu, Oct. 21:

Himalaya Airlines has entered into to the Chinese market with its maiden flight to Chongqing.

The new flight service is an every-Thursday charter service from Chongqing to Kathmandu.

Himalaya is the only airline operating direct flights between the two cities.

The inaugural flight departed from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) on Thursday evening, 18 October, and landed at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG).

The return flight from Chongqing was made at midnight on Thursday.

 “China is one of our target markets. We are confident that this route will boost passenger traffic as we expect a good demand from Chongqing, which has a sizeable population of affluent out-bound travelers,” said Vijay Shrestha, Vice President – Administration of the company.

“Himalaya will be instrumental in bringing more Chinese tourists to Nepal and helping the tourism economy of both countries,” he added.

Chongqing, one of the five centrally administered municipalities in China along with Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Tianjin, offers remarkable attractions to visitors.

Chongqing known for its rich history and cultural heritage, serves as an economic and manufacturing center apart from being the transportation hub for Southwest China.

China has placed Nepal as a new leisure destination, which is one of the driving reasons for increased Chinese visitors into Nepal over the past two years, said the company.

China is the second largest tourist source market for Nepal with 109,497 visitors in 2018 (Jan to Sept), showing the growth of 48.8% over the same period of 2017.

According to Shrestha, Himalaya airline plans to extend its focus on China connectivity by adding up other cities like Beijing, Haikou and Nanchang in the next phase.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 23 October 2018. 

Himalaya adds 3rd aircraft to its fleet

Kathmandu, Mar. 31: The Himalaya Airlines, a private Nepali airline operator, has added third aircraft to its existing fleet.

The new Airbus A320-214 aircraft arrived at the Tribhuvan International Airport from Hamburg Germany on Friday at 10:45 AM.

According to the company, the aircraft, with the registration number 9N-ALW, was welcomed by a ceremonial water cannon salute after it touched down the runway.

"This is the second A320 aircraft that is delivered to the Himalaya Airlines in 2017, and the airlines now own three Airbus 320 aircraft. Adding up to three such aircrafts within the first year of commercial flight operations is a remarkable achievement for a Nepalese private airline company," read a press statement issued by the company.

The company held a special welcome ceremony on the ramp of the TIA on the occasion. President of Airlines Zhao Guo Qiang and vice-president administration Vijaya Shrestha along with H9 senior management team welcomed the new aircraft.

 “The year 2017 has been the year of achievements for the Himalaya Airlines as we have welcomed our 2^nd Aircraft on January 31, and launched 2 new sectors- Kuala Lumpur and Yangon in February. With the arrival of third Airbus 320, we plan to expand our global network and strengthen the air connectivity of Nepal to the international arena” remarked shrestha.

 Airbus 320-214 series is a narrow-body aircraft with 8 and 150 passengers in its business and economy seat configurations respectively.

The third Airbus will enter into service on April 2017 and will fly to new sectors such as Dammam, Dubai, Hong Kong, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Bangkok, Beijing, Lhasa and Chengdu along with currently flying sectors. 

HImalaya directly flies to Yangon

Kathmandu, Feb. 24:

Himalaya Airlines, a Nepal-China joint venture, launched its scheduled direct flight to Yangon, Myanmar on Friday carrying passengers directly to the destination.

"We see it as an initiative to strengthen direct connection of about 300,000 Nepalese in Myanmar to visit their homeland," said the airlines company in a press statement.

According to the company, the first scheduled flight flew from Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu and touched down at Yangon International Airport bringing both cities closer to boost tourism, trade and investment opportunities between Nepal and Myanmar.

Yangon is the fourth destination the airlines is connected with.  

With the launch of twice-a-week passenger service (Monday and Friday), Himalaya Airlines has re-established direct links of Nepali capital with Myanmar after  a gap of more than 2 decades.

Ambassador of Myanmar to Nepal Lwin Oo, joint-secretary of Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MOCTCA) Suresh Acharya, and vice-president- Administration of Himalaya Airlines Vijay Shrestha were also on the board of flight that left for Yangon.

“We are thrilled to mark another milestone in our commitment to serve Nepalese tourism industry by increasing Nepal’s air connectivity in Asiatic region. We are confident we will be able to further position Yangon as a preferred destination through our marketing efforts to promote this route,” said Shrestha.

The launching airfare for Kathmandu - Yangon- Kathmandu flight starts from Rs. 29,600.00 (round trip), plus government taxes.

The airline has appointed Unique Asia Travel and Tours Co. Ltd as its General Sales Agents (GSA) for Myanmar. 

Himalaya welcomes second aircraft

Kathmandu, Jan. 31: Himalaya Airlines, a Nepal-China joint venture airlines company, has added a second aircraft, Airbus 320-214, to its fleet on Tuesday.

The aircraft landed at the Tribhuvan International Airport at 11:04 AM. It arrived from Hamburg, Germany.

The aircraft, with the registration number 9N-ALV, was welcomed by a ceremonial water cannon salute after it landed at the TIA.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Jeeban Bahadur Shahi greeted the aircraft along with TIA general manager Devnanda Upadhaya and other high government officials.

“With the arrival of the second Airbus 320, Himalaya Airlines is highly inspired to work harder towards achieving excellence in our services” said vice-president Administration of the company Vijay Shrestha.

He said that the new aircraft would enable the company to bring new opportunities to connect Nepal directly with new destinations and contribute towards the economic development of the country.

The airline’s new A320 aircraft has 158 seats in two class configurations, 8 for Business and 150 for Economy.

The Himalaya Airlines started its scheduled flights operations from May 31, 2016 flying directly Doha, Qatar.

With the new aircraft, the airlines will start flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Yangon, Myanmar.

It also plans to connect to Dammam, Delhi, Ahmedabad and Chennai in the first phase and later to Dubai, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Beijing, Lhasa and Chengdu as well by the end of this year.

Himalaya adds second Airbus

Kathmandu, Jan. 17: Himalaya Airlines is all set to add a second aircraft, Airbus 320-214, to its fleet by the end of January.

According to the company, the Airbus has been brought on long-term dry lease. This means the aircraft financing entity will provide the aircraft without the crew.

 “With the addition of the new aircraft to its fleet, Himalaya has also announced scheduled flights to two new destinations – Kuala Lumpur of Malaysia and Yangon of Myanmar.

The airline will fly to and from Kuala Lumpur five days a week whereas there are two flights to Yangon every week - Monday and Friday.

It will commence its flights to Kuala Lumpur and Yangon from February 10 and 24 respectively.

The new Airbus 320-214, with Nepal registration 9N-ALV, has 158 seats, including 8 business class and 150 economy class seats.

Himalaya has added its second aircraft to its fleet in the second year of its operation and has announced it will add two more planes by December 2017.

“To ensure a comfortable journey to the passengers, the Airbus is equipped with its refreshed comfortable seats, in-flight entertainment with latest videos and audios,” reads a press statement issued by the company.

The airline has appointed Carnival Travel SDN. BHD. and My Golden Lion Aviation Pvt. Ltd. as its General Sales Agents (GSAs) for Malaysia and Myanmar respectively.

The launching round trip airfare for Kathmandu – Kuala Lumpur – Kathmandu flight starts from Rs. 25,375 and Kuala Lumpur – Kathmandu – Kuala Lumpur starts from MYR 928.

Similarly, the round trip airfare for Kathmandu – Yangon – Kathmandu starts from Rs. 29,600 and Yangon – Kathmandu – Yangon starts from 320 USD. Both the charges are tax exclusive.

“We are pleased to further expand our network by launching two new destinations which will help to meet the rising demad for not just leisure and religious travel but also visiting friends and relatives between Nepal and Kuala Lumpur and Yangon,” vice president of the Company Vijay Shrestha said. 

Himalaya Air offers Rs. 39,500 for Colombo round-trip

Kathmandu, Nov. 18

Himalaya Airlines Friday announced ‘year end special’ airfare to Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The Nepalese private sector airlines said in a press release that it had offered round trip fare Rs. 39,500 which is much lower than the normal fare of Rs. 50,041 inclusive of all government taxes.

However, the special airfare is exclusive of airport taxes, administrative and travel agent’s fee.

The Airlines was charging Rs. 29,191 for one-way flight to Colombo or vice versa.

“With the new airfares, Himalaya expects to boost tourism, trade and investment opportunities between Nepal and Sri Lanka,” read the press release.

The company has informed that travelers must issue tickets within December 31^st this year and travel within March 31^st next year to enjoy the special offer.

According to the company, travelers can carry baggage of 30 kg per passenger.

The airlines operates flights to and from Sri Lankan capital Colombo on Tuesday and Thursday every week. 

Himalaya flies to Colombo

Kathmandu, Oct. 1: Himalaya Airlines, a Nepal-China joint venture airline company, successfully launched its scheduled flight to Colombo, Sri Lanka on Saturday.

According to a press statement issued by the company, it carried the passengers directly to the destination as an initiative to bring both cities closer and boost tourism, trade and investment opportunities between Nepal and Sri Lanka.

The first scheduled flight flew from the Tribhuvan International Airport at 11:30 am and landed at Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo at 15:03 PM.

Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Nepal W. S. Parera and secretary general of Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sri Lanka Ajith D. Parera were also on board.

“The aircraft received a warm welcome in Colombo,” read the statement.

With the launch of passenger service, Himalaya Airlines has re-established direct links with Sri Lanka after more than 28 years.

The two flights are scheduled for Tuesday and Saturday a week.

“We anticipate that the majority of our passengers will be businessmen and tourists from the two countries,” said Vijay Shrestha, vice-president of administration at the company.