Airline Operators Association Leadership

11th January 2026, Kathmandu

Airlines Operators Association Leadership has been officially confirmed as Pratap Jung Pandey was elected unopposed as the President of the Airlines Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN). The decision was made during the association’s 25th Annual General Meeting (AGM), which was held in Kathmandu on Friday, Poush 25, 2082 (January 9, 2026). The election resulted in the formation of a new 16-member executive committee under Pandey’s leadership, representing private sector aviation service providers, including domestic Airlineslines and helicopter operators, across the country.

Airline Operators Association Leadership

The Airlines Operators Association serves as an umbrella organization for private aviation companies in Nepal. Leadership changes within the association are considered significant for the broader aviation sector, as the body plays a key role in policy dialogue with the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), operational coordination, and industry representation.

Unopposed Election Reflects Industry Consensus

The unopposed election of Pratap Jung Pandey, who serves as the Managing Director of Kailash Helicopter Services, highlights a strong consensus among member organizations. Such unanimous selections often reflect confidence in leadership capability and the ability to represent collective industry interests effectively.

Pandey’s appointment comes at a critical time when Nepal’s private aviation sector is navigating complex operational challenges, including fluctuating aviation fuel surcharges, regulatory pressure to upgrade fleets, and the ongoing effort to remove Nepal from the European Union’s Airlines safety list. The Airlines Operators Association Leadership under his presidency is expected to focus on strengthening cooperation between operators and government authorities to ensure the sustainability of the industry.

Newly Elected Office Bearers

Alongside the President, the Annual General Meeting elected a full executive committee representing various segments of the aviation industry. The newly formed committee includes senior executives with diverse operational backgrounds:

First Vice President: Nima Nuru Sherpa, Executive Chairman of Altitude Airlines.

Second Vice President: Suvas Sapkota, Chief Executive Officer of Yeti Airlines.

Third Vice President: Umesh Paneru, Chief Executive Officer of Tara Airlines.

These appointments ensure that the leadership includes voices from major domestic carriers as well as specialized helicopter and STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) operators.

Key Administrative Positions Filled

The executive committee also includes appointments to key administrative roles responsible for organizational coordination and financial oversight:

General Secretary: Murali Dhar Joshi, General Manager of Simrik Airlines.

Secretary: Balkrishna Pandit, Manager of Airlines Dynasty.

Treasurer: Rupesh Joshi, Director of Buddha Airlines.

The inclusion of Rupesh Joshi from Buddha Airlines, the country’s largest domestic carrier, in the treasury role reflects a balanced leadership structure that integrates the industry’s most influential players.

Executive Committee Members

The Airlines Operators Association Leadership further includes a diverse group of eight executive committee members:

Shrom Harsha Shrestha (Base Camp Helicopter)

Dhan Shyam Raj Acharya (Sita Airlines)

Umesh Acharya (Saurya Airlines)

Binod Thapa (Fishtail Airlines)

Prajwal Thapa (Guna Airlines)

Milan Maharjan (Himalaya Airlines)

Nobel Kumar Rajlawat (Prabhu Helicopter)

Phurba Tsering Sherpa (Heli Everest)

This broad representation ensures that the interests of international operators like Himalaya Airlineslines and regional rescue/charter services like Heli Everest are considered in the association’s decision-making process.

Importance of the Association for Nepal’s Aviation Sector

The Airlines Operators Association Leadership plays a crucial role in advocating for the interests of private aviation companies. The association acts as a platform for addressing several vital areas:

Regulatory Advocacy: Liaising with CAAN regarding the separation of regulatory and service-providing functions.

Safety Standards: Promoting industry-wide best practices to reduce the frequency of accidents in Nepal’s challenging terrain.

Infrastructure: Lobbying for better facilities at regional airports and resolving issues related to parking and hangar space at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).

With Nepal’s challenging geography, private airlines and helicopter services are vital for tourism, emergency medical evacuations, and regional accessibility. Effective leadership is therefore important not only for the operators but also for the national economy.

Expectations from the New Leadership

Under Pratap Jung Pandey’s presidency, the industry expects the association to address the high operational costs driven by aviation fuel prices and the technical challenges of phasing out older Airlinescraft like the ATR 72-500 in favor of newer models. Strengthening safety compliance to improve Nepal’s global aviation reputation remains the top priority.

The collective experience of the newly elected committee positions the Airlines Operators Association Leadership to address both immediate operational needs, such as flight delays and winter visibility issues at Gautam Buddha International Airport, and long-term strategic goals for sustainable growth.

Conclusion

Airlines Operators Association Leadership has entered a new term with the unopposed election of Pratap Jung Pandey as President. The outcome of the 25th Annual General Meeting reflects a unified front for Nepal’s private aviation sector. As the industry faces a pivotal year in 2026, the role of this leadership will be central to ensuring operational efficiency, passenger safety, and the continued viability of airline transport in the Himalayas.

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