Everest flight by air - Joyful flying in Nepal

Everest flight by air - Joyful flying in Nepal

As Nepal’s tourism bounces back, the sector that has benefited the most is domestic aviation.

There aren’t enough planes, or enough hours in the day, to take tourists on an aerial sight-seeing trip to Chomolungma. On 31 August this year, airlines set a record with 31 mountain flights by Buddha Air and 12 by Yeti Airlines. Right through the autumn season, the two airlines reaped a windfall of tourism traffic.

This is one of the few flights in the world that takes off and lands from the same airport and at $140 per passenger, the margins are high (Nepalis and Indians pay Rs 7,000).


But as winter sets in, tourist volumes drop and poor visibility at Kathmandu airport due to fog restricts the number of flights. One recent morning, the fog closed the airport after five mountain flights had already taken off. The planes were diverted to Simara, Pokhara and one to Bhairawa.

Early morning at Kathmandu airport looks like the deck of an aircraft carrier with a dozen twin turboprop planes lining up to take off. Captain Ang Ghelu Sherpa lines up his Beechcraft on the runway and guns the throttle. Soon we are taking a wide climbing turn over Kathmandu Valley. Ganesh, Langtang and Dorje Lakpa immediately swing into view.

In other airlines, flight attendants are usually busy with safety drills or handing out food and drinks, but on this flight, stewardess T W Lama looks more like a school teacher as she points out various mountains to passengers.

However many times one has been on a mountain flight, every trip is different. Since this was early morning, there wasn’t much turbulence over the mountains so Captain Sherpa was flying right past Numbur and as we banked, there was Lukla right below us with its inclined runway.

Through the tilted cockpit window, Chomolungma moved from left to right. We were so close, you could see the wavey yellow limestone band on the south face of Lhotse. On the return leg, the passengers on the righthand side got their chance. They see right into the arid pastel mountains of Tibet and magnificient border peaks like Melungtse and Sishapangma. Abreast of Gauri Shankhar, we begin our descent, but Captain Sherpa informs us that Kathmandu airport is closed due to poor visibility.

Usually, such an announcement from the cockpit would be met by a collective groan from passengers. But inside this plane, there was jubilation. As we circled over Kathmandu waiting for the fog to clear, passengers got an extra hour of mountain flight for free.

Below, the fog draped Kathmandu like a quilt. The Himalaya stretched on to the west towards Himalchuli, Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. After finally getting his clearance, Captain Sherpa swooped down through the murky mist for a landing.

Was what we’d been through just a dream? Couldn’t be, there are photographs to prove we actually saw what we did.

Airlines in Nepal

Airlines in Nepal

AEROFLOT RUSSIAN INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES
Service: Offline
Airline Number: SU
Address: P.O. Box: 1147, Kamaladi, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-425 4697, 422 399
Fax: +977-1-424 9392
E-Mail: durzaba@aexgrp.com
Website: www.aexpgrp.com
GSA: Durzaba Pvt. Lt
Contact Person: Mr. Shyam Sundar KC (Director)

Air Arabia
Service: Online
Airline Number: NA
Address:Durbar Marg, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-4233210/ 4233211
Fax: +977-1-4233213
Airport Tel: +977-1-4465929
E-Mail: airarabia@vianet.com.np
Website: www.airarabia.com

AIR CHINA
Service: Online
Airline Number: CA
Address: Lazimpat, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-444 0650, 444 0651
Fax: +977-1-441 6541
Airport Tel: +977-1-4470311 / 4484411
E-Mail: ktmddca@wlink.com.np
Contact Person: Mr. Zhao Yong

AIR FRANCE
Service: Offline
Address: P.O. Box: 256, Hattishar, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-444 5562, 444 5537
Fax: +977-1-443 9585
Nearest Airport: Delhi
E-Mail: afktm@csl.com.np
Website: www.airfrance.com
Contact Person: Roshan Shrestha (Finance)

AIR INDIA
Service: Offline
Address: P.O. Box: 314, Hattisar, Kamalpokhari, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-441 6721, 441 5637 (Resv.)
Fax: +977-1-441 5637
Nearest Airport: Delhi
E-Mail: s.Kishore@airindia.in
Website: www.airindia.com
Contact Person: Mr. Sujoy Kishore

Air Sahara
Service: Online
Address: Durbar Marg, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-44262121
Airport Tel: +977-1-4461867

ALITALIA AIRWAYS
Service: Offline
Address: Naxal, GPO Box: 24276, Ktm
Kathmandu
NEPAL
Phone: 4415339, 4421615
Fax: 4411199
Nearest Airport: Delhi
E-mail: siris@siris.com.np
GSA: Siris Express
Contact Person: Mr. Kamal Ghimire

AMERCIAN AIRLINES
Service: Offline
Address: Durbarmarg, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-426 8562
Fax: +977-1-422 0178
Nearest Airport: Beijing
GSA: President Travels

AUSTRIAN AIRLINES
Service: Online
Address: P.O. Box: 536, Kamaladi, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-424 1470, 422 3331
Fax: +977-1-424 1566
Airport Tel: +977-1-4494008
E-Mail: austrain@mos.com.np
Website: www.aua.com
GSA: The Explore Nepal
Contact Person: Mr. Bharat Basnet (MD)

BANGLADESH BIMAN
Service: Online
Airline Number: BG
Address: Lazimpat, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-443 4740, 443 4982
Fax: +977-1-443 4869
Airport Tel: +977-1-4479234
Contact Person: Mr. Harunur Rashid

BRITISH AIRWAYS
Service: Offline
Airline Number: NA
Address: Durbar Marg, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-422 6611
Fax: +977-1-422 6611
Nearest Airport: Delhi
E-Mail: ba_ktm@info.com.np

CATHAY PACIFIC
Service: Offline
Address: P.O. Box: 5351, Kamaladi, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-424 8944, 422 5111
Fax: +977-1- 4225286
Nearest Airport: Bangkok
Int`l Branches: worldwide.
GSA: Amravati Travels
E-Mail: amravati@mos.com.np
Website: www.amravtitravels.com
Contact Person: Mr. S.S.J.Rana (Chairman)

CHINA AIRLINES
Service: Offline
Address: P.O. Box: 827, Hattisar, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-443 4483, 443 4678
Fax: +977-1-443 4477
Nearest Airport: Hong Kong
Int`l Branches: Taiwan, Japan, America
E-Mail: pksttktm@wlink.com.np
GSA: Pokhara Travels
Contact Person: Mr. Sunil Gurung (Executive Director)

China Southern Airlines
Service: Offline
Address: Kamalpokhari, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-4440761/ 65//80
Fax: +977-1-4440763
E-Mail: jyotisimha@gorkhatravels.com

CONDOR GERMAN AIRLINES
Service: Offline
Address: Durbar Marg, GPO Box: 76, Ktm
Kathmandu
NEPAL
Phone: 4221234, 4224740
Fax: 4226152
Email: condor@ccsl.com.np
Nearest Airport: Bangkok
GSA: Yeti Travels

COSMIC AIR
Service: Online
Address: P.O. Box: 3488, Sinamangal, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-447 4153, 449 2009
Fax: +977-1-449 7569, 446 8432
E-Mail: info@cosmicair.com
Website: www.cosmicair.com
Contact Person: Mr. Upendra Karki (Director-Marketing)

DELTA AIRLINES
Service: Offline
Address: P.O. Box: 482, Durbar Marg, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-422 0759
Fax: +977-1-422 6795
Nearest Airport: Mumbai
E-Mail: info@everestexpress.com.np
Website: www.everest-express.com
GSA: Everest Express Travels and Tours
Contact Person: Mr. T.P Chapagain (Sales)

DRAGON AIR
Service: Offline
Address: P.O. Box: 4163, Durbar Marg, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-422 7064, 425 8695, 426 6599
Fax: +977-1-422 7132
Nearest Airport: Hong Kong
Telex: 2414 ZENITH NP
GSA: Zenith Travels

DRUK AIR
Service: Online
Airline Number: KB
Address: P.O. Box: 4429, Durbar Marg, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-423 9988, 423 9922, 423 9651
Fax: +977-1-423 6958
Airport: +977-1-4471712/ 4470311
E-Mail: sales@drukair.danfetravels.com
Website: www.drukairnet.bt
GSA: Danfe Travels
Contact Person: Mr. Damchu Lhendup (Station Manager)

EL AL ISRAEL AIRLINES
Service: Offline
Address: Durbar Marg, GPO Box: 76, Ktm
Kathmandu
NEPAL
Phone: 4221234, 4224740
Fax: 4226152
Nearest Airport: Mumbai
Email: elal.ktm2@yetitravels.com.np
GSA: Yeti Travels

EMIRATES
Service: Offline
Address: P.O. Box: 939, Kamaladi, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-422 0579, 425 2048
Fax: +977-1-422 0267
Nearest Airport: Delhi
E-Mail: universal1@mail.com.np
GSA: Universal Travels and Tours
Contact Person: Mr. Parasar Prasai (MD)

ETHOPIAN AIR
Service: Offline
Address: P.O. Box: 2727, Shahid Sukra Marg, Lalitpur
Tel: +977-1-552 4732 (Sales), 552 4732, 552 4232 (Resv.)
Fax: +977-1-552 1880
Nearest Airport: Bangkok
GSA: Gurans Travels & Tours
Contact person: Mr. Cecil Dewan- Manager

EVA AIR
Service: Offline
Address: P.O. Box: 2085, Lazimpat, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-414 318, 442 4153
Fax: +977-1-441 5381
Nearest Airport: Bangkok
E-Mail: mahakala@ntc.net.np
Website: www.mahakalatravels.com
GSA: Mahakali Travels
Contact Person: J.W Lama (MD)

GMG Airlines
Service: Online
Airline Number: NA
Address: Hattisar, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-4222556/4228470
Airport Tel: +977-1-4465801 / 802
E-Mail: gmgairlines@wlink.com.np
Website: www.gmgairlines.com

GULF AIR
Service: Online
Airline Number: GF
Address: Hattisar, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-443 5322/ 4444126
Airport: +977-1-449 3323
E-Mail: gfktm@mos.com.np
Website: www.gulfairco.com
GSA: President Travel & Tours
Contact Person: Mr. Mihammad Zainal (Manager)

INDIAN AIRLINES
Service: Online
Airline Number: IC
Address: P.O. Box: 300, Hattisar, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: +977-1-442 9468, +977-1-441 0906
Fax: +977-1-441 9649
Airport Tel: +977-1-4472647
E-Mail: indianadmian@wlink.com.np
Website: www.indianairlines.in
Contact Person: Mr. Gautam Shah (Country Manager)

JAPAN AIRLINES
Service: Offline
Address: P.O. Box: 283, Durbar Marg, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-422 2838
Fax: +977-1-422 7289
Nearest Airport: Bangkok
E-Mail: ththev@mos.com.np
Contact Person: Ms. Bindita Thapa

JET AIRWAYS
Service: Online
Address: P.O. Box: 214, Hotel de La Annapurna arcate, Durbarmarg
Tel: +977-1-422 2121
Fax: +977-1-422 1900
Airport Tel: +977-1-4461906/ 4461904
E-Mail: ktmto@airways.com
Website: www.jetairways.com
GSA: Hansa International
Contact Person: Ms. Sangita Rana (MD)

KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIRLINES
Service: Offline
Address: Lekhnathmarg, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-441 0089
Nearest Airport: Delhi
E-Mail: deepti@mallatreks.com
GSA: Malla Treks
Contact Person: Mr. Rajendra Lal Shrestha

KOREAN AIR
Service: Online
Address: P.O. Box: 939, Kamaladi, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-425 2048, 422 0579, 421 4192
Fax: +977-1-422 0267
Airport Tel: +977-1-4465913
Nearest Airport: Delhi
E-Mail: info@universaltravel.com.np
GSA: Universal Travel & Tours
Contact Person: Mr. Sita Ram Prasai (Executive Chairman)

KUWAIT AIRWAYS
Service: Offline
Address: P.O. Box: 3263, Kathmandu Plaza, Kamaladi, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-424 9887, 424 9884
Fax: +977-1-429 392
Airline In air: Delhi
E-Mail: kac@aexpgrp.com
GSA: Air Express Pvt. Ltd
Contact Person: Mrs. Purna Laxmi Manandhar

LUFTHANSA GERMAN AIRLINES
Service: Offline
Address: P.O. Box: 214, Hotel de La Annapurna arcate, Durbarmarg
Tel: +977-1-422 3591, 422 2121
Fax: +977-1-422 1900
E-mail: ktmcto@zairways.com
Nearest Airport: Delhi
GSA: Hansa International
Contact Person: Ms. Sangita Rana (MD)

MALAYSIAN AIR
Service: Offline
Address: Heritage Plaza II, Kamaladi, Kathmandu, Nepal
Post Box 2769
Telephone: 4247215
Fax: 977 1 4244484
E-mail: md_marco@polo.com.np
Nearest Airport: New Delhi
GSA: Marcopolo Travels
Contact Person: Mr. Subodh Rana, MD

MARTIN AIR
Service: Online
Airline Number: HV
Address: Heritage Plaza II, Kamaladi, Kathmandu, Nepal
Post Box 2769
Telephone: 4247215 Ext. 110
Fax: 977 1 4244484
E-mail: md_marco@polo.com.np
GSA: Marcopolo Travels
Contact Person: Mr. Subodh Rana, MD

NORTHWEST AIRLINES
Service: Offline
Address: P.O. Box: 5227, Lekhnath marg, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-442 3145 (HQ), 441 0089
Fax: +977-1-442 3143
Nearest Airport: Bangkok
E-Mail: rajendra@mallatreks.com
Website: www.nwa.com
GSA: Malla Treks

PAKISTAN INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES
Service: Online
Airline Number: PK
Address: Hattishar, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-443 9324
Fax: +977-1-443 9564
Airport Tel: +977-1-4487660
E-Mail: ktmuupk@piac.com.pk
Website: www.piac.com.pk
Contact Person: Ms. Chanda Malla (Secretary)

PHILIPINES AIRLINES
Service: Offline
Address: Kamladi, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-426 3336, 426 3153
Fax: +977-1-422 0969
Nearest Airport: Bangkok
E-Mail: travel@mail.com.np
GSA: Shiva Travels
Contact Person: Mr. Arjun Sharma (MD)

QANTAS AIRWAYS
Service: Offline
Address: P.O. Box: 1307, Durbar Marg, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-422 0245
Fax: +977-1-422 1180
Nearest Airport: Bangkok
Telex: 2417 PRESSI NP.
E-Mail: treingl@mos.com.np
Website: www.president-travels.com
GSA: President Travels
Contact Person: Laxmi (Director)

QATAR AIRWAYS
Service: Online
Airline Number: QR
Address: Darbarmarg, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-4440467/ 4440849
Fax:
Sitacode: KTMTOQ7
E-Mail: ktmsales@np.qatarairways.com
Website: www.qatarirways.com

ROYAL BRUNEI AIRLINES
Service: Offline
Address: P.O. Box: 5519, Hattisar, Kamaladi, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-443 8367, 443 7193 (Resv)
Fax: +977-1-443 9668
Nearest Airport: Bombay, Singapore
E-Mail: atcr@ccsl.com.np
Website: www.bruneiair.com
GSA: Aviation and Tourism Consultant
Contact Person: Mr. Shyany Saiju( Chief Manager)

SAUDI ARABIAN AIRLINES
Service: Offline
Address: P.O. Box: 3263, Kamaladi, Kathmandu Plaza, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-424 9387 (HQ), 426 7558, 424 6453
Fax: +977-1-424 9392
E-Mail: saudi@aexpgrp.com
Website: www.aexpgrp.com
GSA: Air Express Pvt. Ltd
Contact Person: Mr. Achutam Shrestha (Manager)

SILK AIR
Service: Offline
Address: P.O. Box: 482, Durbar Marg, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-422 0759
Fax: +977-1-422 6795
Nearest Airport
E-Mail: info@everestexpress.com.np
Website: www.everest-express.com
GSA: Everest Express Travels and Tours
Contact Person: Mr. T.P Chapagain (Sales)

SINGAPORE AIRLINES
Service: Offline
Airline Number: SQ
Address: P.O. Box: 482, Durbar Marg, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-422 0759 (HQ), 422 5482, 422 6582
Fax: +977-1-422 6795, 422 6582
E-Mail: info@everestexpress.com.np
Website: www.everestexpress.com.np
GSA: Everest Express Travels and Tours
Contact Person: Mr. Sudhir Pandey (Manager)

SWISS AIR
Service: Offline
Address: P.O. Box: 170, Naxal, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-441 3017 (Sales), 434 570 (Resv.)
Fax: +977-1-442 0970
Nearest Airport: Delhi

THAI AIRWAYS INTERNATIONAL
Service: Online
Airline Number: TG 320
Address: Annapurna Arcade, Durbar Marg, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-422 1130, 422 3692
Fax. +977-1-422 1247, 422 4917
Airport Tel: +977-1-4473440/ 4472293
E-Mail: ktmmgmt@thaiairways.com.np, ktmsd@thaiairways.com.np
Website: www.thaiairways.com.np

UZBEKISTAN AIRWAYS
Service: Offline
Address: Kamaladi, GPO Box: 4870, Kathmandu
NEPAL
Phone: 4246404, 4222086
Fax: 4221112
Email: gandaki@gandaki.wlink.com.np
Nearest Airport: New Delhi
GSA: Gandaki Tours & Travels
Contact Person: Mr. Ram Kazi Koney-MD