Buddha Air Starts Commercial Flights with New ATR 72-600 Aircraft; Low Fares Maintained Until Highways Are Accessible

September 5, Kathmandu.

Buddha Air, a leading private sector airline, has started regular commercial flights with its new series ‘ATR 72-600’ aircraft.

On Friday morning at 8:06 AM, the aircraft with callsign ‘9N-AOS’ made its first commercial flight carrying 66 passengers from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj.

The company brought this aircraft from Toulouse, France on July 25, and has put it into service after completing the necessary technical and regulatory procedures.

Equipped with a full glass cockpit, digital flight management, and modern navigation systems, this aircraft has ‘RNP-AR’ technology installed, which will facilitate safe take-offs and landings even in low visibility conditions.

From an environmental perspective, this aircraft consumes less fuel and produces less noise pollution. It also features wider passenger seats and overhead bins compared to older series.

Currently, Buddha Air operates a total of 15 aircraft: 14 ATR-72-500s and 1 ATR-72-600. The company is preparing to acquire another ATR-72-600 aircraft in the near future.

Buddha Air operates over 140 domestic flights daily, as well as regular international flights to Varanasi and Kolkata in India.

Affordable Fares and Free Relief Material Transport Until Festivals

Meanwhile, due to severe floods in Rasuwa and other areas on August 27, which obstructed highways, the company has decided to operate flights at minimum and affordable fares until Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath festivals.

Buddha Air’s Executive Chairman, Birendra Bahadur Basnet, stated that it is the company’s responsibility to provide passengers with a convenient alternative through air travel during natural disasters, prioritizing public service over profit and loss.

Despite a 96 percent increase in aviation fuel prices to Rs 249 per liter in the last seven months, the company has borne the financial burden itself, increasing the Kathmandu-Bhairahawa fare by only 14 percent, maintaining it at Rs 6,500.

Additionally, the company has so far transported 7,322 kg of relief materials free of charge from various districts of the country for flood and landslide-affected areas.

For More: Buddha Air New ATR