KATHMANDU: Nearly three years after Nepal’s Supreme Court cleared the way for Himalaya Airlines to operate its own ground handling services, the airline says it still has not been allowed to begin operations at Tribhuvan International Airport.

According to officials at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the airline has formally requested government intervention, claiming that despite obtaining legal authorization, investing more than Rs 500 million in equipment and infrastructure, and meeting regulatory requirements, it continues to face operational restrictions.
Himalaya Airlines has also claimed losses exceeding Rs 3 billion due to the prolonged delay.

Airport sources said the airline has already leased about 1,000 square meters of space to store its ground handling equipment, which remains unused.
Although the Supreme Court ruled in the airline’s favor in early 2024, Nepal Airlines Corporation continues to provide ground handling services at TIA. The ministry has sought clarification from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, and officials say the issue is now under review.