Buddha Air, a renowned name in Nepali aviation, has established itself as a symbol of reliability and security over its 25-year journey. It was established on October 11, 1997, with a lone aircraft marked the humble beginnings of its venture. Presently, it operates 17 cutting-edge aircraft, serving a minimum of 15 national and international destinations daily.
As of now, Buddha Air operates over 100 flights daily, earning the distinction of being Nepal’s most trusted domestic airline, synonymous with trust and safety after a quarter-century of service. Throughout these years, it has safely transported over 13.6 million passengers. With a current market share of approximately 61 percent, it has consistently remained profitable over the past two decades.
History Of Buddha Air
On October 11, 1997, Captain RK Sharma and American Pilot Captain Kevin St. Germain embarked on an extraordinary journey, piloting Buddha Air’s inaugural flight, BHA 100, carrying 16 passengers aboard the Beechcraft 1900D. With the call sign 9N-AEE, the flight departed from Kathmandu’s domestic airport, embarking on a remarkable hour-long excursion to Mt Everest and back. This unprecedented feat, accomplished on its maiden flight, instilled a sense of trust and confidence in Buddha Air, laying the foundation for its subsequent success.
Buddha Airlines is a family owned corporation and is currently owned by two proprietors. Late Surendra Bahadur Basnet was the founder and chairman of Buddha Air while his son, Birendra Bahadur Basnet is the current executive chairperson of Buddha Airlines.
As of now, Buddha Air has successfully flown 18.13 million domestic passengers and over 1.59 million foreigners, of which, 440,810 made the mountain view flights.
Management Team
The management team of Buddha Air comprises of highly skilled and experienced experts. The management is further divided into sub-divisions, separate department for its specific roles. The sub-divisions are;
- Technical Department:
- Revenue Department
- Operation Department
- General Service Department
- Human Resource Department
- Finance Department
- Management Information Department
- Marketing Sales and Ground Handling Department
Financial Position Of Buddha Air
The airline company, Buddha Air, which started with as initial investment of Rs. 50 Million now has a net worth of Rs. 7 Billion.
Buddha Air had projected Rs 10 billion in revenue in the fiscal year 2021/22. The same year, the airline company invested a total of $588,384 for technical training and $248,263 for non-technical training in its manpower in the fiscal year 2021-22. Not only that, the company also claims to contribute a reasonable amount in taxes to the government.
Related: The Journey Of Yeti Airlines In Nepali Aviation
“We made a direct tax contribution of Rs52.6 million to the government. The indirect tax amounted to Rs669.56 million,” – Buddha Airlines
As of now, Buddha Air has collected a total of Rs. 3.83 billion revenue in the first six months of fiscal year 2023/24. Likewise, the market share of Buddha Air has increased from 56% to a whopping 67% percent in 2024. As for previous year, the airline recorded a total revenue of Rs. 12.16 billion.
Buddha Air Operating Airport Information
Buddha Air has been operating its flights on following 12 airports;
- Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu
- Pokhara Airport
- Nepalgunj Airport
- Bharatpur Airport
- Bhadrapur Airport
- Dhangadhi Airport
- Janakpur Airport
- Biratnagar Airport
- Surkhet Airport
- Tumlingtar Airport
- Bhairawaha Airport
- Simara Airport
Flight Services/Status
The Buddha Air Flight Status service is a valuable resource, offering real-time updates on flight schedules and details for Buddha Air, a prominent airline in Nepal. This feature ensures passengers have easy access to accurate and current information regarding their flights, including departure and arrival times. With Buddha Air Flight Status, travelers can remain informed about any changes or delays, facilitating efficient journey planning. Providing convenience and peace of mind, this service enables passengers to make necessary arrangements and adjustments as needed, whether for business or leisure travel.
Below is the table for Buddha Airlines Flight Price Fare;
| Departure | Arrival | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu | Mount Everest | Rs 13535 |
| Bhadrapur | Kathmandu | Rs 5700 |
| Bharatpur | Kathmandu | Rs 6100 |
| Bharatpur | Pokhara | Rs 3970 |
| Rajbiraj | Kathmandu | Rs 3900 |
| Pokhara | Bharatpur | Rs 3500 |
Flight Crew/ Crew Members
Presently, the company boasts a fleet comprising two Beechcraft 1900D, three ATR 42, and ten ATR 72 aircraft. The airline’s workforce includes 80 Cockpit Crew members and 66 Cabin Crew members.
Below is a table detailing key personnel and their respective designations within Buddha Air:
| Name | Designation |
|---|---|
| Capt. Devendra Bahadur Basnet | Operation Director |
| Capt. Ranjan Kumar Sharma | Director Flight Safety |
| Capt. Sunil Gurung | Chief Pilot, ATR |
| Capt. Shekhar Kafle | Acting Chief Pilot, Beech 1900D |
| Capt. Ang Gelu Sherpa | Chief of Flight Safety |
| Capt. Pramod Thapa | Chief of Training |
| Mr. Bhawani Shankar Shrestha | Cabin Crew Executive Manager |
| Ms. Sagun Tandukar | Chief of Cabin Crew |
| Ms. Anamika Chaudhary | Dy. Chief of Cabin Crew |
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Buddha Air, as a corporate entity dedicated to societal welfare, emphasizes the importance of initiating change from within. The airline firmly believes that for societal advancement to occur, fundamental shifts must first take place in the economy. Recognizing that a significant portion of Nepalese communities in rural areas rely on agriculture for sustenance, the company acknowledges the challenges faced by subsistence farmers transitioning to cash cropping to improve their livelihoods. This shift poses a dilemma as traditional agricultural practices often fall short in meeting market demands.
In 2000, Buddha Air launched an agricultural extension program in Morang district to provide local farmers with modern techniques and market access. This initiative, focusing on improved farming methods like fertilizer management and better seeds, boosted production and led to the formation of Smallholder Agribusiness Support (SABS). SABS collaborated with farmers to establish Tankisinwari Agro-commodity Marketing Cooperative Ltd., offering financial aid at reduced rates. The program’s success prompted expansion to other districts, promoting sustainable agriculture. Buddha Air plans to establish a Rural Development Bank to further support agricultural initiatives, benefitting employees and the community.
Awards
Buddha Airlines has received awards for the following titles;
- Recognized by the Government of Nepal as the “Highest Income Tax Payer in Aviation Tourism Sector” in 2014.
- Recognized by Pratt & Whitney, Canada Corporation for the Introduction of Pw100 Engines and Operational Safety of Pt6a Engine in Nepal since 1998 in September 2008.
- Awarded by the Government of Nepal, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation for the “Highest Safety Record 2006” on International Civil Aviation Day.
- Appreciated by the Pacific Asia Travel Association for strong support and valuable contribution during various years.
- Recognized by the United Nations World Tourism Day for being the First among Private Sector Airlines in Foreign Exchange Earnings during fiscal years 2001, 2003, 2004, and 2005.
- Received the Certificate of Excellence award from TripAdvisor in 2019 for providing the best mountain flight in Nepal.
- Awarded the Travellers’ Choice Award in 2020 from TripAdvisor based on millions of Travellers’ reviews.
“Buddha Air’s flightseeing mountain flight flys you to the top of the world to witness the beautiful Himalayas of Nepal, including Mt. Everest.” – Tripadvisor
Conclusion
In conclusion, Buddha Air’s remarkable journey spanning 25 years stands as a testament to its commitment to excellence and innovation in Nepali aviation. From its modest beginnings with a single aircraft in 1997 to its current status as a leading domestic airline with a fleet of modern aircraft serving multiple destinations, Buddha Air has earned the trust and confidence of passengers through its unwavering dedication to safety and reliability.
With a skilled management team and a workforce driven by passion and professionalism, the airline continues to set new standards of service and efficiency in the industry. As it looks towards the future, Buddha Air remains steadfast in its mission to contribute to the nation’s development while providing passengers with unparalleled experiences and breathtaking views of the Himalayas.
