Nepal’s national flag carrier, Nepal Airlines, celebrated its 68th anniversary on Wednesday with a special ceremony at its central office in New Road, Kathmandu, marking nearly seven decades of service in connecting Nepal domestically and internationally while highlighting a renewed commitment toward institutional reform, improved governance, and long-term sustainability.
The anniversary celebration brought together senior government officials, aviation executives, employees, and stakeholders from Nepal’s tourism and aviation sectors, reflecting the airline’s historical significance as the country’s national carrier and its strategic importance in Nepal’s transportation infrastructure.
The event was held under the chief guestship of Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadak Raj Paudel. Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mukunda Prasad Niraula and Joint Secretary Jayanarayan Acharya attended the program as distinguished guests.
Anniversary Begins with Morning Procession in Kathmandu
Before the formal ceremony, Nepal Airlines organized a special morning rally (Prabhat Pheri) beginning from the airline’s headquarters premises in New Road. The procession moved through the historic Juddha Salik Chowk area before returning to the corporation’s office compound, symbolizing pride in the institution’s long-standing legacy in Nepal’s aviation history.
The event witnessed notable participation from employees across various departments of Nepal Airlines, who gathered to celebrate the institution’s 68-year journey and reaffirm commitment toward strengthening the national carrier. As part of the anniversary celebrations, the airline also launched its annual commemorative publication titled “Aakash Bhairav,” a special publication released every year on the corporation’s anniversary highlighting its history, achievements, and future direction.
Government Pledges Full Support for Nepal Airlines
Addressing the ceremony, Minister Khadak Raj Paudel extended his best wishes to the airline and acknowledged the important contributions Nepal Airlines has made toward national connectivity, tourism promotion, and aviation development over the decades. The minister assured that the Ministry would continue providing full support for positive initiatives undertaken by the corporation and emphasized the importance of responsibility and efficiency among employees.
He urged all staff members of Nepal Airlines to perform their duties professionally and efficiently while contributing toward improving the airline’s overall operational capacity and service standards. According to him, strengthening the national carrier requires collective effort from both management and employees.
Tourism Secretary Urges Stakeholders Not to Lose Hope
Speaking at the event, Ministry Secretary Mukunda Prasad Niraula congratulated the corporation on completing 68 years of service and called for greater optimism regarding the future of Nepal Airlines despite current operational and financial challenges. He said stakeholders should avoid becoming discouraged by the airline’s present condition and instead focus on long-term reforms necessary to make Nepal Airlines stronger and more competitive. The secretary stressed that rebuilding institutional strength would require coordinated effort, strategic planning, and strong commitment from every level of the organization.
Nepal Airlines Reports Positive Operational Signs Despite Challenges
The program was chaired by Acting General Manager Janak Raj Kalakheti, who provided an overview of the airline’s present operational condition and future outlook. During his remarks, Kalakheti stated that despite numerous institutional challenges and operational barriers, Nepal Airlines has recently begun showing several positive signs. He highlighted that passenger numbers have been increasing steadily in recent months and the corporation’s revenue has also witnessed noticeable improvement.
He stated that Nepal Airlines is learning from past experiences while remaining cautious about present challenges and committed to moving forward with a clearer long-term vision for the future. He thanked employees and stakeholders for their continued support during difficult periods.
Prime Minister Announces Plan to Convert Nepal Airlines into Company Model
One of the biggest announcements linked to the anniversary came through a special message issued by Prime Minister Balendra Shah, who revealed that the government will move forward with plans to transform Nepal Airlines into a company model structure as part of a broader institutional reform strategy. The Prime Minister said the government intends to initiate the transformation process to improve management efficiency and identify suitable strategic partnerships that can help modernize the national carrier.
Quoting provisions included in the upcoming fiscal year’s national budget statement, the Prime Minister stated that converting Nepal Airlines into a company structure would allow the government to implement management reforms and explore partnership models necessary for long-term sustainability. He said the government would soon take necessary steps to give practical shape to this reform agenda.
Government Focuses on Governance Reform and Professional Management
In his message, Prime Minister Balendra Shah acknowledged growing public concerns regarding governance issues that have periodically surfaced within Nepal Airlines. He stated that the government remains seriously concerned about governance standards inside the corporation and expects the airline to improve operational efficiency, service quality, and professionalism in line with the broader principles of good governance being promoted by the government.
The Prime Minister urged Nepal Airlines management and employees to adopt more effective, service-oriented, business-friendly, and financially sustainable operational practices. He further stated that the government is conducting detailed studies and analysis to identify ways of making the national carrier safer, more reliable, and commercially stronger in the long run.
According to him, as Nepal’s flagship airline, Nepal Airlines itself must take leadership in internal reform efforts rather than relying solely on government intervention. He emphasized that employees and management officials must first fully fulfill their responsibilities, while assuring that the government remains ready to provide necessary policy support and resources required for institutional reform.
Blood Donation Program Organized as Part of Anniversary Celebration
As part of the anniversary week activities, Nepal Airlines had earlier organized a blood donation program on Ashadh 12 at both its central office and Tribhuvan International Airport. According to the corporation, a total of 264 people, including employees and participants from various sectors, donated blood during the humanitarian program organized to mark the anniversary celebrations.
Looking Toward a New Era for Nepal’s National Carrier
The 68th anniversary celebration comes at a critical time for Nepal Airlines as the corporation seeks to recover from long-standing operational, financial, and management challenges while simultaneously attempting to modernize and strengthen its competitive position in both domestic and international aviation markets. For nearly seven decades, Nepal Airlines has served as a symbol of national identity, connecting remote parts of the country and representing Nepal internationally.
With fresh government commitment toward institutional restructuring, management reform, strategic partnerships, and improved governance, the airline now appears to be entering a potentially transformative phase that could define its future direction for decades to come. As Nepal Airlines celebrates this historic milestone, expectations are growing that the national flag carrier will successfully overcome past challenges and emerge as a stronger, more efficient, and commercially sustainable institution capable of leading Nepal’s aviation sector into a new era.
