Shree Airlines Set to Launch Kathmandu-Bharatpur Flights Amid Dashain Festive Rush, Challenging Buddha Air Monopoly

Shree Airlines is preparing to launch flights between Kathmandu and Bharatpur ahead of the upcoming Dashain festival, as it nears completion of the approval process with the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). The airline conducted a successful test flight on this route in June and is now gearing up for commercial operations, according to Anil Manandhar, the airline’s manager. “We’re in the final stages of approval and hope to commence flights before Dashain,” Manandhar stated. 

Currently, Buddha Air operates this route using a 42-seater ATR-42 aircraft, charging approximately NPR 4,700 for a one-way ticket. Although the flight duration is just 20 minutes, passengers often encounter high fares. Shree Airlines plans to use an 80-seater Dash 8Q-400 aircraft, which is expected to enhance both ticket prices and service convenience. 

However, not to forget but Bharatpur airport was once economical hub for Yeti Airlines when it operated with the Jetstream 41 aircrafts.

The successful test flight with the larger aircraft has drawn interest from other airlines, prompting Buddha Air to also test a 72-seater aircraft on the same route. Bharatpur Airport, which has a 1,200-meter runway, is undergoing expansion; however, safety concerns have arisen due to nearby buildings and structures to the east of the runway. Efforts to remove these obstacles have yet to yield results, despite repeated requests from local authorities. 

Night flights will remain restricted until further upgrades to the airport infrastructure are completed. A new terminal building is currently under construction at Bharatpur Airport, with plans to extend the runway to 1,600 meters by utilizing land from a nearby Nepal Army horse breeding center.

Shree Airlines is growing its fleet rapidly. It introduced 3 new aircrafts to its fleet all the way from States in 2024 only. Sources claim Shree Airlines is eyeing for Boeing Fleet for its future international operations. It has also hired Narrow body engineers from Nepal Airlines and many top engineers from Yeti Airlines itself for its turboprop operations.