Nepal Airlines Chairman Rai Appointed: Focus on Reform and Efficiency

Nepal Airlines Chairman

5th November 2025, Kathmandu

Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has announced significant leadership appointments following the end of the tenure of former Chairman Yuvraj Adhikari.

Nepal Airlines Chairman

Vikram Rai, who serves as the Vice-Chairman of the NAC Board of Directors, has been assigned the responsibility of the Board Chairman until a permanent successor is appointed.

Concurrently, Anil Ghimire, the Corporation’s Corporate Director, has been appointed as the new official spokesperson for the national flag carrier.

This leadership transition signals an immediate push for operational and administrative reforms within the Corporation. The Nepal Airlines Chairman Rai Appointed officially took the oath of office and secrecy on Tuesday at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, administered by Acting Secretary Indu Ghimire.

Chairman Rai Commits to Visible Reforms

Upon assuming office at the NAC Board Secretariat, Chairman Rai immediately declared his commitment to implement visible and tangible improvements within the Corporation.

He emphasized that these changes align with the vision of the Prime Minister and the widespread demands for reform, often voiced by public movements like the ‘Gen Z’ campaign. Chairman Rai wasted no time, issuing several direct and high-impact instructions to the management team.

Fleet and Maintenance Directives

Addressing critical fleet management issues, Rai directed the management to prioritize and finalize the re-installation of the Corporation’s own engine, which was sent to Israel for maintenance.

This is intended to replace a currently leased engine used on one of the A320 aircraft. He specifically mandated the completion of this engine installation within fifteen days. Furthermore, he ordered the immediate return of the leased engine to the concerned company.

Ticketing, Baggage, and HR Policies

The new Chairman zeroed in on areas that frequently draw public criticism and media attention:

• Ticketing Irregularities: He ordered the immediate halt to the controversial practice of ‘upgrading’ Business Class tickets that has often been raised in the media and among the public.
• Baggage Policy: Rai directed a time-appropriate modification to the passenger baggage policy.
• Baggage Complaints: He mandated the expeditious address of public grievances concerning damaged passenger baggage.
• HR Management: Rai also instructed the management to cancel the appointments of contractual and wage-based employees whose recruitments were found to violate existing rules and regulations.

Crucially, Chairman Rai made it clear that he will not interfere in the Corporation’s day-to-day managerial functions, asserting that his role is to guide strategic direction and oversee policy implementation.

New Spokesperson Anil Ghimire Takes Office

Simultaneously, Acting General Manager Janak Raj KalaKheti appointed Corporate Director Anil Ghimire as the new spokesperson. Ghimire brings nearly two decades of varied experience within the Corporation to his new communications role.

Ghimire expressed his commitment to effectively conveying the institution’s information and messages to the public, building a positive corporate image, and effectively coordinating with media outlets.

His appointment is expected to facilitate clearer and more consistent communication from the national carrier during this period of transition and reform.

The new leadership structure is positioned to tackle NAC’s long-standing operational and financial challenges, aiming for a more efficient, transparent, and passenger-friendly national airline.

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