Himalaya Airlines is preparing to expand its international network by launching regular flights from Kathmandu to Shanghai, China, and Bangkok, Thailand, as the airline seeks to capitalize on growing passenger demand and the recovery of Nepal’s tourism market.
The private-sector international carrier is scheduled to begin Kathmandu-Shanghai flights from September 7, 2026, with two flights a week planned for the Chinese city. On the return journey, the airline plans to operate a stop in Kunming, China, before continuing to Kathmandu.
Shanghai Flights to Support Rising Chinese Tourist Arrivals
According to Himalaya Airlines Vice President Vijay Shrestha, the airline is expanding its China network as arrivals of Chinese tourists to Nepal continue to recover and the peak tourism and festival season approaches. The new Shanghai service is expected to improve direct air connectivity between Nepal and one of China’s major commercial and population centres, while providing additional travel options for tourists and business travellers.
Three Weekly Flights to Bangkok
Himalaya Airlines is also preparing to resume regular flights to Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. The airline plans to launch the Kathmandu-Bangkok service from October 27, 2026, with three flights scheduled per week. The new service is expected to strengthen connectivity between Nepal and Thailand while expanding travel options for both leisure and business passengers.
Airline Expands China Network as Tourism Recovers
Himalaya Airlines currently operates regular flights to Lhasa and Shenzhen in China. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the airline operated flights to five destinations in China, but reduced its China operations after the pandemic amid a decline in Chinese tourist arrivals to Nepal. With Chinese tourism now showing a strong recovery, the airline is once again expanding its China network.
Chinese Tourist Arrivals Surpass Pre-Pandemic July Level
The latest tourism figures indicate that Chinese visitor arrivals to Nepal have recovered to, and exceeded, pre-pandemic levels. According to the Nepal Tourism Board, 11,099 Chinese tourists visited Nepal in July 2026, compared with 10,215 Chinese visitors recorded in July 2019. This represents an 8.65% increase compared with the same month before the pandemic. Chinese tourist arrivals also increased by approximately 61% year-on-year compared with July 2025. The sustained recovery in arrivals has encouraged Himalaya Airlines to expand its China operations and add Shanghai to its network.
Himalaya Airlines Connects Nepal with Key International Markets
Besides China, Himalaya Airlines currently operates regular international flights to Kuwait, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Doha in Qatar, Dammam and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The addition of Shanghai and Bangkok will further expand the airline’s international network and provide additional connectivity for Nepal’s tourism and business sectors.
Joint Nepal-China Investment Company
Himalaya Airlines was established in 2014 as a joint Nepal-China investment venture. Its investment partners include Tibet Civil Aviation Development and Investment Company Limited and Nepal’s Yeti World Investment Pvt. Ltd. The planned expansion to Shanghai and Bangkok is expected to strengthen the airline’s role in connecting Nepal with major Asian tourism and business markets while supporting the country’s broader tourism recovery.
