Himalaya Airlines, Nepal’s international private airline, has launched a direct scheduled flight service between Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), Kathmandu, and Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH), Hangzhou, establishing a new air connection between Nepal and eastern China. The inaugural Kathmandu–Hangzhou flight, H9 225, departed Tribhuvan International Airport at 17:37 Nepal local time on September 30, 2026, and arrived at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport at 01:08 China local time on October 1, 2026.
The return service, H9 226, departed Hangzhou at 03:18 China local time on October 1 and landed at Tribhuvan International Airport at 06:28 Nepal local time on the same day, carrying 154 Chinese tourists to Nepal. The launch marks a significant development in Nepal–China air connectivity and comes at the beginning of Nepal’s peak autumn tourism season.
Himalaya Airlines Introduces Direct Scheduled Kathmandu–Hangzhou Service
With the introduction of the new route, Himalaya Airlines says it has become the first and only commercial carrier in the history of civil aviation to operate a direct scheduled service on the Kathmandu–Hangzhou–Kathmandu sector. The new connection creates a direct air corridor between Kathmandu and Hangzhou, reducing the need for travellers to rely on connecting routes between the two destinations.
The airline said the service is part of its broader strategy to expand direct connectivity between Nepal and major tourism and economic centres in China. The company has outlined a long-term objective of developing direct services to 10 key destinations across China to strengthen tourism, trade and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
Hangzhou Offers Strong Cultural and Tourism Potential
Hangzhou is the capital and largest city of Zhejiang Province in eastern China and is widely known for its long history, cultural heritage and scenic attractions. The city is one of China’s Eight Ancient Capitals and is internationally recognised for the West Lake, a major cultural and tourism landmark.
Hangzhou is also home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the West Lake Cultural Landscape, the Grand Canal, and the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City. The direct air connection is therefore expected to provide Nepal with access to a major Chinese cultural and tourism centre while giving Chinese travellers more convenient access to Nepal’s natural, cultural and adventure tourism destinations.
New Route Targets Tourism, Trade and Cultural Exchanges
Himalaya Airlines said the Kathmandu–Hangzhou service is intended to cater to a broad range of travellers from both Nepal and China. The route is expected to serve leisure tourists, business travellers, trade delegations, students and participants in cultural exchange programmes, while also facilitating greater movement between the two countries.
The airline’s strategy is focused not only on bringing Chinese tourists to Nepal but also on strengthening commercial and institutional links between Nepal and China through improved direct connectivity. According to the airline, the long-term objective is to help bring one million Chinese tourists to Nepal through a network of direct flights connecting Nepal with multiple Chinese tourism and economic centres.
Route Launched During Peak Autumn Tourism Season
The launch of the Kathmandu–Hangzhou service coincides with the beginning of Nepal’s major autumn tourism season, traditionally one of the busiest periods for international tourism in the country. The airline expects the new service to support inbound tourism by providing additional direct connectivity for Chinese travellers visiting Nepal during the peak season.
Increased tourist arrivals are also expected to benefit hotels, restaurants, tour operators, transportation providers, trekking companies and other businesses linked to Nepal’s tourism and hospitality sector. The new route comes at a time when Nepal is seeking to strengthen international connectivity and expand tourism markets, particularly in Asia.
Himalaya Airlines Begins With Two Weekly Frequencies
Himalaya Airlines has initially scheduled two weekly flights between Kathmandu and Hangzhou. Under the initial schedule, flights from Kathmandu to Hangzhou operate on Sundays and Wednesdays, while return flights from Hangzhou to Kathmandu operate on Mondays and Thursdays.
The initial operating schedule is as follows:
| Sector | Effective Dates | Days | Departure | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KTM–HGH | September 30–October 21, 2026 | Sunday, Wednesday | 17:15 | 01:05 +1 |
| HGH–KTM | October 1–22, 2026 | Monday, Thursday | 02:05 | 06:20 |
All times are local. “+1” indicates arrival on the following day.
The airline said it will monitor passenger demand and load factors and will review the possibility of increasing the frequency of flights if demand supports additional services.
Airline Highlights Long-Term China Connectivity Strategy
Speaking during the launch of the new route, Vijay Shrestha, Vice-President of Himalaya Airlines, said the airline’s China expansion strategy is focused on connecting Nepal with 10 major tourism and economic centres. “Himalaya Airlines aims to operate flights to ten different tourism and economic centres across China to welcome one million Chinese tourists to Nepal,” Shrestha said.
He said the airline has been introducing new routes to China ahead of conventional market trends and described the Kathmandu–Hangzhou service as a continuation of that strategy. According to Shrestha, the new route will connect two historical and cultural hubs of Nepal and China while creating opportunities for travellers to experience the attractions and economic opportunities of both countries. He also emphasised the airline’s commitment to safety and service quality, saying the company aims to create memorable travel experiences for passengers travelling between Nepal and China.
Direct Connectivity Expected to Strengthen Nepal–China Tourism
The launch of the Kathmandu–Hangzhou service adds another direct connection between Nepal and China and expands the range of Chinese cities accessible from Kathmandu. For Nepal, China represents an important tourism market, while improved connectivity can also facilitate business travel, trade, education and cultural exchanges.
The arrival of 154 Chinese tourists on the inaugural return service provides an immediate indication of the route’s potential to support inbound tourism. Continued passenger demand will determine the future development and frequency of the service. The new route also forms part of Himalaya Airlines’ broader effort to establish direct links with multiple Chinese destinations, potentially creating a wider network for Chinese travellers seeking to visit Nepal.
Tickets Available Through Airline and Travel Partners
Passengers travelling between Kathmandu and Hangzhou can book tickets through Himalaya Airlines’ ticketing counters, authorised travel partners, the airline’s official website and its mobile application. The airline has positioned the new service as a strategic step toward expanding Nepal–China connectivity, supporting tourism and creating additional opportunities for travel and economic exchanges between the two countries.
With the Kathmandu–Hangzhou route now in operation, Himalaya Airlines is seeking to build on the initial service and expand its China network in line with passenger demand and its long-term target of connecting Nepal with 10 major Chinese tourism and economic centres.
