Kathmandu, October 1: Himalaya Airlines, Nepal’s international private airline, has launched direct scheduled flight service between Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), Kathmandu, and Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH), Hangzhou. The inaugural flight took off on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, marking a defining milestone in Nepal’s civil aviation history and international connectivity.
The Kathmandu–Hangzhou flight departed Tribhuvan International Airport at 17:37 (Nepal local time) on September 30. It arrived at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport at 01:08 (China local time) on 01 October. The return flight, Hangzhou–Kathmandu, departed from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport at 03:18 (China local time) on October 1, and landed at Tribhuvan International Airport at 06:28 (Nepal local time) the same day, with 154 Chinese Tourists.
With this launch, Himalaya Airlines becomes the first and only commercial carrier in the history of civil aviation to operate a direct scheduled flight on the Kathmandu–Hangzhou–Kathmandu sector, establishing a new and strategically significant air corridor between Nepal and one of China’s major cultural hubs.
Hangzhou is the capital and largest city of Zhejiang province in eastern China. It is one of China’s Eight Ancient Capitals and is best known internationally for its cultural legacy and the scenic West Lake. The city is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: The West Lake Cultural Landscape, the Grand Canal, and the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City.
The Kathmandu–Hangzhou route is strategically aligned with Himalaya Airlines’ broader mission to develop direct air connectivity to ten key tourism and economic centres across China, with the long-term objective of promoting Nepal–China tourism and trade. The service is expected to serve a wide range of travellers, including leisure tourists, business travellers, trade delegations, students, and cultural exchange participants from both nations.
Commencing at the onset of Nepal’s peak autumn tourism season, the route is expected to provide a meaningful boost to inbound tourism and the broader hospitality sector, supporting the country’s economic recovery and growth objectives.
Himalaya Airlines is initially operating two weekly frequencies on the route. Outbound flights from Kathmandu depart every Wednesday and Sunday, with return flights from Hangzhou operating every Monday and Thursday. The airline will review and consider increasing frequency in response to passenger demand and load factors.
Vijay Shrestha, Vice-President of Himalaya Airlines, during the launch of the new route, remarked: “Himalaya Airlines aims to operate flights to ten different tourism and economic centres across China to welcome one million Chinese tourists to Nepal. We have pioneered trailblazing new routes to China, leading the way ahead of conventional market trends. The introduction of the Kathmandu–Hangzhou service is a testament to that commitment. With this route, Himalaya Airlines aims to connect two historical and cultural hubs of Nepal and China. We will create memorable travel experiences while upholding the highest standards of safety and service quality. We look forward to welcoming passengers on board and facilitating the discovery of the extraordinary beauty and opportunities that both Nepal and China have to offer.”
Passengers will be able to book tickets for Kathmandu–Hangzhou–Kathmandu flights through Himalaya Airlines’ ticketing counters, authorised travel partners, the airline’s official website (www.himalaya-airlines.com), or the Himalaya Airlines Mobile Application.
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